Influence of Antox® Probiotic, as Water Additive on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilizatiion and Body Composition of the African Catfish, <i>Clarias Gariepinus</i> (BURCHEL, 1822) Fingerlings

Abstract

The study was carried out for three (3) months to determine the influence of a commercial probiotic Antox® which is a mono- strain probiotic consisting of live Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 4.125 × 10⁶ cfu per 100ml on growth, nutrient utilization and body composition of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Fish fingerlings (7.6 – 7.9g) were randomly distributed into five triplicate treatment groups in fifteen plastic tanks (80L) at a stocking density of ten (10) fish per tank. The probiotic was administered in the culture water of the treatment groups; 0mls (control, T0), 0,5ml (T1), 1.0 (T2), 1.5 (T3), 2.0 (T4) ml probiotic/80l. Water quality parameters were regularly monitored. The growth performance, nutrients utilization and body composition of C. gariepinus fingerlings between probiotic treated groups were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing dosage of the probiotic. The best Final Mean Weight (121.3g), Mean Weight Gain (113.5g), Percentage Mean Weight Gain (1456.5g), Feed Conversion Ratio (0.92g) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (2.6g), were recorded in probiotic treatment group T4 (2.0ml). Similarly, the highest increase in carcass crude protein (69.9g), moisture (10.34), ash (15.26g) and dry matter (29.46) were recorded in treatment group T4 (2.0ml). Probiotic (Antox®) is recommended for administration in C. gariepinus fingerlings culture water at 2.0mls/ 80L.