COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF COMMERCIAL FEED AND FORMULATED DIETS ON THE GROWTH AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF HETEROBRANCHUS BIDORSALIS (CATFISH) FINGERLINGS

Abstract

Fish farming is a major viable solution to the problem of protein inadequacy in Nigeria but the high cost of feed remains a major obstacle. This study evaluated the comparative effect of commercial feed and formulated diets on the growth and biochemical parameters of Heterobranchus bidorsalis (catfish) fingerlings. Proximate composition of fish wastes (FW), guinea corn (GC), groundnut cake (GNC) and bone meal (BM) were determined and used to formulate diets. Pearson’s square method was used to formulate three diets designated as A (FW and GC at 3:1), B (GNC and GC at 3:1) and C (FW, GNC and GC at 3:3:1). Standard methods were used to determine proximate composition, amino acid composition and mineral content of the formulated diets. A commercial feed (Coppens) was used as control diet. Forty fingerlings of 2 g bodyweight were divided into 4 groups consisting of ten fingerlings each. The first group was fed commercial feed, while the remaining groups were fed with the respective experimental diets. Each group was fed 5 % of their average bodyweight twice daily in an aquarium for 49 days. Changes in weight, length, biochemical and haematological parameters of the fishes were determined over the period of experimentation. The results of proximate composition of the selected ingredients revealed increase in percentage protein level in FW (59.90±0.26 %) than other ingredients (GC, GNC and BM). The results of proximate composition of the formulated diets showed significant rise in percentage protein in formulated diet A (44.12±0.15 %) than other formulated diets (B and C) but lower in percentage protein level than the control diet. Amino acid composition and mineral content of the formulated diets showed significant rise in total amino acid composition and mineral content in formulated diet A than other formulated diets (B and C) but lower than the control diet. Bodyweight and length (21.93±0.13 g; 14.97±0.24 cm) of fingerlings fed formulated diet A was significantly higher (p<0.05) than other groups (B and C) but lower than the groups fed the control diet (22.77±0.15 g; 15.07±0.25 cm). The results of biochemical parameters showed significant rise in total serum protein of fingerlings fed formulated diet A (19.52±0.21 g/dl) than other groups of fingerlings fed formulated diets (B and C) but lower than the groups of fingerlings fed the control diet (20.35±0.13 g/dl). ALP, AST and ALT values of the fingerlings fed formulated diet A were significantly lower than the groups of fingerlings fed formulated diets (B and C) but no significant difference with the groups fed the control diet. The results of haematological parameters showed that fingerlings fed formulated diet A was significantly higher in values for RBC, haemoglobin and PCV except for the WBC that was significantly lower than other groups fed formulated diets (B and C) but lower than the groups of fingerlings fed the control diet. Formulated diet A yield a better results in terms of protein level of the formulated diets, biochemical and haematological parameters as well as growth performance of catfish and it is therefore, preferably as an alternative for (catfish) fingerlings rearing.