Growth performance and proximate composition of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) fingerlings fed varying inclusion levels of ripe banana (Musa Sapientum) peel

Abstract

The cost of fish feed is of great concern in fish farming. The growth performance and proximate composition of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed varying inclusion levels of ripe banana peels as a possibility of replacing soybean as a component of the fish feed were evaluated for a period of 12 weeks. 250 C. gariepinus fingerlings were acclimated for 2 weeks and fed to satiation morning and evening. Five isocaloric and nitrogenous diets were prepared from ripe banana peel thus: 0% (Control), 25% (T25), 50% (T50), 75% (T75) and 100% (T100) inclusion levels to replace equal weights of soybean, respectively. Some growth parameters such as standard length (SL), total length (TL) and weight were determined on weekly basis. The proximate compositions of the fish in each treatment and control were determined at the end of the experiment. The data generated were subjected to one way analysis of variance and considered significant at P≤0.05. From the results; the weight, SL and TL mean values measured in the control were significantly higher than other treatments in most of the weeks of the experiment. The highest weight in the control was 52.43±10.80g while the highest amongst other treatments was 30.67±6.69g obtained in T75 at the end of the 12 weeks. The ash content, crude fibre and fat contents were mostly significantly in T75 and T100. The highest moisture content (12.88±0.74%) was also obtained in T100. The crude protein content was significantly higher in the control than other treatments with 68.69±0.35% at the end of the 12th week. The results of this research has shown that banana peel can be included up to 75% level of inclusion as possible replacement for soybean in fish meal production and therefore, capable of reducing the cost of fish production incurred by farmer. For optimal performance, the crude protein content should be improved upon by inclusion of other cheap protein sources.