Abstract
Currently, the use of unconventional food sources in the inclusion of fish diets is cause of great interest. The growth performance of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was evaluated, with the inclusion of duckweed meal (Lemna perpusilla) in four levels (0, 6, 12 and 18 %) in the diet. African catfish with an average weight of 1.27 ± 0.03 g, were distributed in a completely randomized design, with 16 experimental cages (four replicates/treatment). The fingerlings were fed for 48 days of experimentation. An analysis of variance and a Duncan´s test were performed. No significant differences were found (p< 0.05) for the first two levels evaluated, but with the rest there were differences, as the percentage of inclusion of the duckweed meal in the ration increased. Final weight was decreasing, as well as absolute growth rate, increase in daily weight, feed conversion ratio and food efficiency. Survival throughout the experiment was between 72 y 65 % in all treatments. The inclusion of duckweed meal in the diet did not affect the parameters of water quality. It was concluded that the L. perpusillase meal can be included up to 12 % in diets for African catfish fingerlings, without affecting the growth performance.
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