Effect of different levels of Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate on Growth and Fat Composition <i>Clarias Gariepinus</i> Fingerlings

Abstract

The effect of different levels of alpha-tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E) on growth performance, visceral fat and proximate composition of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings was investigated for 58 days. The results showed that final weight and total length was higher in fingerlings fed 300 mg/kgof vitamin E diet, while mean body weight gain, specific growth rate, relative growth rate, and average daily weight gain were higher in fish fed with 0 mg of vitamin E per kilogram of feed. Visceral fat escalated with an increase in the quantity of Vitamin E in the diet, though there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the visceral fat among all the treatments. Similarly, crude protein of the fingerlings continues to increase with an increase in the quantity of vitamin E. However, there was a slight decrease in the muscle fat composition of the fingerlings with an increase in the quantity of vitamin E in the diet. Vitamin E has little or no effect on the reduction of visceral fat in fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus, though fish fed with 300 mg/kgof vitamin E diet have lower muscular fat content.

Key words: Alpha-tocopherol acetate, growth and fat composition, Clarias gariepinus, fingerlings