Lasia (Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites) has long been used since ancient time for the treatment of various ailments in man. However, the use of this plant in fish culture as a natural feed additive in fish diets to improve growth rate has not yet been studied. Thus, the aims of this research were conducted to investigate the effects of lasia extract (LSE) on growth performance and intestinal histology of hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus x C. gariepinus). Arial parts of lasia were extracted with 75% ethanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening was examined by using colorimetric assay. Fish with an average of initial weight of 7.00±1.00 g were divided into 4 treatments of 3 replications before being fed diets incorporated with different levels (0, 1, 3 and 5% based on dried weight) of LSE. Fish were fed ad libitum two times a day with a rate of 3% of live body weight for 8 weeks. Phytochemical prospecting of LSE exhibited the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, steroids, saponins, coumarins, glycosides and anthraquinones. After a feeding trial, growth performance and feed utilization efficiencies of fish fed with the experimental diets were significantly improved when compared to the basal diet (P<0.05). Survival rate, intestinosomatic index and condition factor were not affected by the diets (P>0.05). Villi height, villi width, muscularis thickness, microvilli

This research was aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with dried S. cumini flesh (DSCF) on growth and physiological parameters in hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus × C. gariepinus). Fish (initial weight of 14.00 ± 1.00 g) were divided into four groups and fed with the diets containing DSCF at 0 (control), 1, 3 and 5% / kg diet for 8 weeks. After the experimental period, final weight, final length, weight gain, specific growth rate, average daily gain, and feed conversion efficiency were markedly increased, whereas feed conversion ratio was significantly decreased in the treated fish compared with the control fish (P<0.05). The condition factor and survival rate did not differ significantly among the treatments (P>0.05). Intestinal morphology was significantly improved in fish fed with DSCF containing diets (P<0.05). No changes in white blood cell, red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were observed between the treatments (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the platelet was significantly increased in the tested fish compared with the control fish (P<0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, total protein, creatinine, uric acid, and triglyceride levels did not differ significantly between the treatments (P>0.05). Serum glucose in fish fed with DSCF diet was significantly increased, while serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly lowered in the experimental groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Overall, these results indicate that the usefulness of DSCF as a phytogenic additive in aquafeeds with an effective level rage from 2.60 to 2.72%/kg diet.