Responses by African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) fed diets containing fish visceral meal as fishmeal replacer

Abstract

The responses (growth, economic performance and physiology) in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed diets containing fish visceral meal as fishmeal replacer were investigated in a 56-day feeding trial. Five experimental diets, formulated using catfish visceral meal to replace fishmeal protein at 0%, 15%, 30%, 45% and 60%, were fed to triplicate fish group (n = 15 fish/replicate; 5.73 ± 0.05 g). The weight gained by fish fed control diet was significantly higher (p < .05) than fish fed test diets. However, no statistical variations (p > .05) existed in the survival, protein productive value, whole body composition, nutrient retention, liver total protein, sodium and calcium ion concentration. The hepatic metabolic (AST, ALT and ALP) and oxidative (SOD and CAT) enzymes activities and glutathione were not significantly different (p > .05) between fish fed test and control diets except fish fed D15T that had statistically higher (p < .05) values of ALT, SOD enzyme activities, glutathione, potassium and chloride ions. Economic performance of feeding diets containing catfish visceral meal to Clarias gariepinus showed that the incidence of cost was significantly lowered (p < .05) among catfish visceral meal fed group resulting into increase in profit index and profit per kg of catfish produced. However, statistically similarity (p > .05) exists with control group up to 30% replacement level.