Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings Fed Graded Level inclusion of Fermented Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) Meal

Abstract

The study investigated the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed five isonitrogenus diets containing 50% crude protein at varying inclusion levels of fermented locust bean meal as replacement for fishmeal. The feeding trial was carried out on Clarias gariepinus fingerlings mean weight (1.01±0.00). Before the commencement of the experiment fishes were acclimatized in plastic tank for one week. Five isonitrogenous diets containing 50% crude protein at varying replacement level of fish meal (FM) and fermented locust bean meal (FLBM) as designated (diet 1 - 0% FLBM/100% fishmeal), Diet 2 (25% FLBM/75% fishmeal), Diet 3 (50% FLBM/50% fishmeal), Diet 4 (75% FLBM/25% fishmeal), Diet 5 (100% FLBM/0% fishmeal). The results obtained indicated significant differences (p<0.05) for the growth parameters calculated. Diet 1 (100% FM/0% FLBM) gave the best parameters in terms of FCR, SGR, and PER, which was closely followed by diet 5 (100% FLBM/0%FM); which were significantly different (p<0.05) to other diets. In this study, it can be deduced that, fermented locust bean meal can replace fish meal up to 100% in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings without any adverse effect however, limited growth exhibited can be attributed to complete absence of fish meal in the diet