ABSTRACT
Growth performance, hematology and carcass quality of Clarias gariepinus fed varying levels of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves were evaluated in a study conducted for 12 weeks in the laboratory of the Department of Fisheries, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba. One hundred and twenty juveniles of C. gariepinus were stocked in tanks (A1, A2 - control, B1, B2 - 5% and C1, C2 - 10% treatments) in duplicate and fed twice daily with control and treatment diets. Results obtained show that fish fed with 10% fluted pumpkin leaves in diet had the highest weight gain of 51.41±9.84g than fish in 5% treatment and control diets. Percentage weight gain (%WG), Specific growth rate (SGR) of fish was higher in treatment fish than in fish fed experimental diet. SGR, %WG and FCE were higher in values with 0.50%>0.48%>0.41%, 58.20>56.10>46.3 and 1.05>1.01>0.84 for 10%>0%>5% levels of inclusion of pumpkin leaf in fish diets respectively. FCR was 0.99, 1.19 and 0.95 for 0%, 5% and 10% pumpkin inclusion in diet. PER however, increased with reduced protein levels in diet. Hematological parameters and indices, as well as the WBC differentials of the fish fed treatment diets gave significantly higher (P<0.05) mean values when compared with those fed on control diet. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents of carcass of fish fed varying levels of fluted pumpkin increased significantly (P<0.05) compared with the Ca and P in the carcass of fish on control diet. This study has shown that 10% inclusion of fluted pumpkin leaves in diets of C. gariepinus gave higher growth performance, higher values of hematological parameters and indices as well as higher contents of Ca and P in fish carcass compared to any other dietary level and the control. The inclusion of 10% fluted pumpkin leaves in fish diet is, therefore, recommended for increase in the nutritional values of fish feeds to promote fish growth and increased levels of hematological parameters which are predictive of the health status of fish. |
KEYWORDS: |
Growth, hematology, carcass, Clarias gariepinus, Telfaraia occidentalis leaves. |
