EFFICACY of Moringa oleifera LEAF MEAL ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF Clarias gariepinus (AFRICAN CATFISH)

Abstract

Partial replacement of fish meal by Moringa leaf meal was conducted in 56 days at the
Biological garden of Federal University of Kashere. Four diets(40% crude protein ) including the
control (Diet A), Diet B, Diet C and Diet D with an inclusion level of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%
respectively based on fish meal were formulated and tested on Clarias gariepinus. These diets
were tested on duplicates of 10 fishes of initial weight of 2.4g±0.07 per bowl. The result
obtained showed that there is no significant difference (p>0.05) in final weight gain of fishes fed
the control diet (Diet A) and 30% replacement (Diet D). But there was significant difference in
control diet and diet B and C. The highest mean weight gain 6.07±0.28g was recorded in fishes
fed the control diet while the lowest 2.28±0.21g was recorded in 10% inclusion level. The
highest final mean length 10.00±0.12 cm was obtained from fishes fed the control diet while the
lowest 8.09±0.20cm was obtained from fishes fed 10% inclusion level. The carcass composition
was recorded with the highest protein value of 48.31% recorded in Diet D and the lowest 32.28%
in Diet A. This study showed that Moringa oleifera leaves can replace 30% of the fish meal
component for African catfish without any adverse effects on growth. However, more study
should be done in finding methods for inactivating the antinutritional factors for inclusion of
Moringa leaves in the diet of African catfish at higher levels.