Performance of Catfish (<em>Clarias Gariepinus</em> Burchell, 1822) Fed Mango Seed Kernel Based Diets as Substitute for Maize

Abstract

The effect of boiled mango seed kernel (MSK) as substitute for maize in diets of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings was investigated using four diets were formulated such that T2 , T3 and T4 contained boiled MSK as replacement for maize at 20%, 40% and 60% inclusion levels respectively, while T1 (control) contained no boiled mango seed. Two hundred and six, (206) Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were randomly grouped into four (54 fish per treatment). Each treatment group was sub-divided into three replicates of 18 fish in hapa nets suspended inside an outdoor cistern (4 x 5x 1.2 m). The treatment groups were fed the test diets at 5% body weight daily for 56 days. Result of the trials showed that the body weight of fish fed with the control diet (T1) was highest, while the least body weight gain was obtained from the group fed with 60% dietary inclusion of MSK. This experiment showed that boiled mango seed kernel cannot successfully replace maize in diets of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings but may be used perhaps at lower dietary level to support growth and reduce production cost. There were significant differences (p<O.05) in body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of control group and those fed MSK based diets. No mortality was recorded throughout the duration of the study.

Keywords: Mango seed kernel, catfish, Clarias gariepinus, fingerlings