The effects of K. africana fruit (Lam. Benth), family bignoniaceae, were investigated on the sperm quality of C. gariepinus, (mean body weight, 396.05±7.04). Five diets with crude protein of 40% were formulated with different inclusion levels of K. africana powder. D1 (control) has 0 g/kg of the powder, while D2, D3, D4 and D5 has 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg of the K. africana powder.  A total of 120 C. gariepinus were randomly distributed in triplicate into 15 concrete tanks (2×2×1.5m) at stocking density of 8 fish per tank and constant water level of 1m was maintained in the experimental tanks. The tank contained pond water (PH ? 7.2, oxygen? 4.3 mg/l, temperature? 26. 2 ⁰C). The fish were fed at 3% of body weight twice a day between 8.00-9.00 am and 4.00-5.00 pm for a period of 90 days. The qualities of the milt were assessed by aid of microscope and by fertility tests.  The male brood fish fed 100 g/kg had significantly higher (P<0.05) sperm counts (6.5± 1.2x10⁹sperm/m), % motility (92%), fertilization ability (90.88±1.03), lower milt volume (1.45±0.71) and motility duration of (39.00±1.4). However, significant differences were not observed in the length and weight of the testes among the diet groups (p>0.05). The results of the study has shown that K. africana fruits possess promising pro-fertility which can be exploited in fish seeds production and  100 g/kg of K. africana based diet was the best tolerance level of inclusion, which could give satisfactory and efficient result on the sperm quality and fertility of C. gariepinus

Key words: Kigelia africana, sperm quality, fertility, Clarias gariepinus.

Ten experimental diets were formulated to meet the 40% crude protein requirement of the African mudcatfish, Clarias gariepinus. In six of the diets fishmeal served as the main protein source while in the remaining four diets fishmeal was supplemented with either GNC or soybean cake to make isonitrogenous diets. The binding efficiency and some physical properties of diets formulated from each of the five binders: rice bran, brewery distiller grain (BDG), corn bran, soybean and groundnut cake (GNC) were assessed. Any of the other binders was used when either soybean or groundnut cake was not included in the diet. Ingredients were ground and sieved to a particle size of 350µm. Three mash conditioning methods: cold water, warm water and cold water with oil coating of pellets were used for mixing each set of ten diets. Physical parameters and binding efficiency were evaluated using floatability, bulk density (BD), water absoption index (WAI) and thickness swelling (TS). Feed with rice bran had the highest floatability with the least BD,WAI and TS. Feed with groundnut had the highest BD, WAI and TS and the least floatability. Mash conditioning with warm water gave a higher floatability over those with cold water but coating of feed with oil after cold water conditioning gave the highest floatability. There is direct relationship between floatability and bulk density (BD) and between floatability and water absorption index (WAI).

The experiment was conducted to assess the effects Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaf as a binder in fish feed. Six iso-nitrogenous diets containing 35% crude protein was formulated and pelleted. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the thickness strength (mm), hardness (mm) and water stability (%) of the diets. Diet MWH had the highest water stability (89.26±0.12%) and the lowest was diet MAH (83.53±0.05). diet MAH had the highest water absorption index of 1.70±0.00 and the lowest was diet MWH with 0.74±0.01. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the sinking rate (cmsec-1), and bulk density (gcm-3) of diets. Protein retention ranged from 91.07 % (WHH) to 95.83 % (MAI), lipid retention was between 90.87% in MWH and 94.74 %. Friability was highest in diet MWH (0.88±0.00 %) and the least was MAI (0.68±0.00 %). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the FCR, FER, mean feed intake and percentage survival of fish fed experimental diets. There were significant differences (P>0.05) in the crude protein, fat, and ash contents of experimental fish after the feeding trial. Fish fed diet WHH had the highest whole body crude protein content (50.98±0.06) and the least fat content (16.75±0.51). The result shows that H. rosa-sinensis leaf can be used as binders. Keywords: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Binder, physical properties, growth parameters

The effects of different protein blends (gliricidia/moringa leaf meals, soybean meal and defatted palm weevil larvae) on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings were studied for a 10-week feeding period. Six diets with 30 percent crude protein content were formulated, the protein sources were included in equal ratios. Diets were designated as fishmeal/soybean (FMS), palm weevil/soybean (PWS), palm weevil/ moringa (PWM), palm weevil/ gliricidia (PWG), palm weevil/soybean/moringa (PSM) and palm weevil/soybean/gliricidia (PSG). Trials were carried out in triplicates with each having ten (10) fish in a total of 18 tanks. Fish fed diet PSG had the highest mean weight gain of 4.35±0.08 and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 1.14±0.02. These values were significantly different (P<0.05) from those recorded for fish on other diets. Fish fed diet PSG gave the lowest food conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.10±0.02, with those on diet PWG recording the least. Fish fed diets containing soybean meal (PSM and PSG) gave better performances than those without it. The carcass protein, ash and fat contents differed significantly (P<0.05). This results showed that Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings fed a mix of protein blends could give good performance in terms of growth, nutrient utilization and carcass constituents.