Growth performance, nutrient utilization and survival rate of Clarias gariepinus fed varied inclusion of processed Moringa oleifera diets

Abstract

This study was conducted to test the effect of Moringa oleifera processed diet processed with Aqueous, Ethanol and Hexane solvents on the growth performance, nutrient utilization and survival rate of Clarias gariepinus. Fish having average initial weight of 9.8±0.1 g were stocked in triplicate at the stocking density of 20 fish. 7 diets were formulated with a Commercial Reference Diet (CRD) in which CRD and ZSD serving as control. Others such as MAQ, MET and MHX were formulated with 3% and 5% Moringa inclusion rate. Fish were fed twice daily at 5% of their body weight, water quality parameters were monitored and weight of the fish were taken biweekly. At the end of the feeding trial, the growth performance and nutrient utilization of fish fed 3% Moringa based diets were significantly (p>0.05) higher than 5% Moringa based diets. All experimental samples grew uniformly at the beginning of the experiment and at 2. Diet 3% MAQ, 3% MHX, ZSD, 3% MET and CRD gave the best weight beginning from week 2. All the 5% diets administered to the fish did not produce increase in weight at the same pace as 3% diets. Fish fed 3%MAQ consistently maintained superior performance followed by 3% MHX, ZSD and 3% MET. There was a significant (p>0.05) effect of diet on the survival of the experimental fish. All samples fed 5% inclusion and those fed 3% MAQ had maximum survival while CRD had the least survival rate. Findings in the study shows that inclusion of processed Moringa have positive impact on the diet of Clarias gariepinus as it promotes fish growth performance and nutrient utilization at optimum inclusion level.