Body Composition and Nutrient Utilization of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings Fed Cooked Albizia lebbeck Seed Meal

Abstract

Clarias gariepinus fingerlings of average weight of 3.6g was used to evaluate the effect of cooked Albizia lebbeck seed meal (CASM) on nutrient utilization and body composition of the fish. Three diets were formulated to contain 40% crude protein as thus, 0% CASM (diet 1) control, 50% CASM) (diet 2) and 100% CASM (diet 3). The weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent net protein utilization (ANPU) were determined as growth indices with significant differences s (p<0.05). Diet 2 (50% inclusion of cooked Albazia lebbeck seed meal) showed significantly (p<0.05) high values for the growth indices. Carcass nutrients composition also followed the same pattern with significant difference (p<0.05) to other diets while diet 1 performed significantly low (p<0.05). Albazia lebbeck seed meal when boiled at 50% inclusion has high potential of being utilized efficiently by Clarias gariepinus fingerlings without any adverse effect on its growth and body compositions.