Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles Fed Varying Inclusions of Defatted African Palm Weevils (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) Meal

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to examine the dietary effects of using African Palm weevil in the diet of Catfish. Five experimental diets containing 40% crude protein were formulated, four of these diets contained defatted African palm weevil larvae meal at varying inclusion levels denoted as APW25%, APW50%, APW75% and APW100% while the diet with fish meal (APW0%) served as control diet. The experiment was conducted in triplicates for 10 weeks using 15 aquaria glass tanks with 10 fish per tank. The percentage weight gain was significantly different (P>0.05) across the fish fed experimental diets, with the highest percentage weight gain (1118.30g) recorded in fish fed diet APW100 and the lowest percentage weight gain (749.40g) recorded in fish fed diet FM. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly different (P<0.05) across the experimental diet. The highest FCR value (1.48±0.42) was recorded in the fish fed diet FM while the lowest FCR value (1.06±0.01) was recorded in fish fed diet APW100. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the PER among the experimental diets. It could be concluded that defatted African palm weevil larvae meal in the diet in replacement of fishmeal.in the diet Clarias gariepinus juvenile.