UTILIZATION OF SHEA CATERPILLAR, Cirina butyrospermi IN THE PRACTICAL DIETS OF HYBRID AFRICAN CATFISH, CLAROBRANCHUS FINGERLINGS

Abstract

ABSTRACT A 56-days feeding trial was conducted to evaluate Utilization of Shea Caterpillar, Cirina Butyrospermi in the Practical Diet of Hybrid African Catfish, Clarobranchus fingerlings through their growth performance and nutrient utilization. Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated, containing 40 % crude protein and 9.5 % lipid. Shea caterpillar meal (SCM) and fishmeal (FM) were included at different inclusion levels; DI (0 % SCM, 100 % FM); DII (25 % SCM, 75 % FM); DIII (50 %: 50 % SCM: FM); DIV (75 % SCM, 25 % FM) and DV (100 % SCM, 0 % FM). These diets with one commercial catfish reference diet (CRD) skreting, were fed to the experimental fish. The experiment was completely randomized in triplicate, and twenty fish were allocated per each (50 cm by 30 cm by 20 cm) white plastic bowls, with the mean initial body weight 2.52±0.43 g per fish. The fish were fed at 3 % of their body weight at two equal meals per day throughout the experimental period. At the end of the study, there was significant difference (P<0.05) in the growth and body composition parameters evaluated. Fish fed diet DI had the highest mean final weight 20.34±0.59 g, mean weight gain 16.84±0.61 g, and protein efficiency ratio 2.59±0.16; and fish fed diet DII had highest specific growth rate 2.70±0.18 and lowest feed conversion 0.58±0.07 with no significant difference (P>0.05) between diet DI and DII. Fish fed diet DV had the lowest mean final weight 16.48±0.19, mean weight gain 12.96±0.19, specific growth rate 1.29±0.30, protein efficiency ratio 1.46±0.07 but highest in feed conversion ratio 6.81±4.51. However, there was significant difference (P<0.05) in the survival rate of the fish, fish fed diet DII had the highest survival rate 95.00±5.00 while fish fed diet DV had the lowest survival rate 85.00±8.86. The ANPU of the experimental fish was significantly different (P<0.05), DVI (CRD) had the highest ANPU (22.05±0.36), followed by DIV (18.91±0.2), while the DI and DII had the least ANPU 13.13±0.04 and 15.62±0.55 respectively. 25%, to 75% inclusions level of Shea caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi is recommended for the diet of hybrid catfish Clarobranchus in terms of growth performance.