• 2019-11-10
• Adesina S.A, Ikuyeju M.F.
• Volume 1, Issue 1

Abstract

Rising demand and expensive nature of most conventional fish feedstuffs have resulted in considering alternative and cheaper feed resources. An eight-week study was conducted to assess the effects of replacing soybean meal with graded levels of pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaf meal in the diets of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Six isonitrogenous diets (formulated at 40% crude protein level) comprising 0% PLM (control), 20% PLM, 40% PLM, 60% PLM, 80% PLM and 100% PLM inclusion levels were fed to 240 C. gariepinus fingerlings (mean weight: 4.02 ± 0.01g) randomly selected and distributed in plastic bowls (60 × 42 × 42 cm³ at the rate of twenty fish per bowl) twice daily (7.00 - 8.00 hours and 17.00 – 18.00 hours) at 3% body weight. Mean Weight Gain (MWG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were determined. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA at p = 0.05. Significant differences (p<0.05) occurred in the proximate composition of diets, fish carcass, growth and nutrient utilization parameters. Fish fed diet 2 (20% PLM-based diet) had the highest MWG (8.63 ± 0.30 g), SGR (0.59 ± 0.03 %/day) and least FCR (0.51 ± 0.10) followed by those fed diet 1 (control diet) (MWG: 8.16 ± 0.20 g, SGR: 0.55 ± 0.13 %/day and FCR: 0.56± 0.11) respectively while growth performance reduced at higher inclusion levels of PLM. Carcass crude protein increased in diets 1 to 6 compared to the initial value. This study indicated that up to 20% inclusion level of sundried pawpaw leaf meal (PLM) could effectively improve growth performance, nutrient utilization and survival of C. gariepinus.