Heterobranchus Longifilis Fingerlings Research Articles

Growth Response of Heterobranchus Longifilis Fingerlings Fed Diets Supplemented with Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal as Replacement of Soybean Meal

Moringa leaf meal (MLM) is a source of protein from a highly valued plant Moringa oleifera. Its protein has a profile of amino acids similar to that of soybean. A completely randomized design with three replicates was used in a 42 days study to determine digestibility and growth performance of 150 Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings. Graded levels (0, 5, 10, 15 or 20) % of dried MLM was used to replace soybean meal in a 42.5% crude protein H. longifilis diet fed at 5% in the first 2 weeks and subsequently 3% body weight. The results showed that there were significant differences in weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of the fish with the significant highest observed in the group that fed on diet 2 with 5% MLM supplementation (P<0.05) though not significantly different from the control (P>0.05). The significant poorest WG and SGR were obtained in the group that fed on diet with 20% level of MLM supplementation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between treatments in terms of initial weight, feed intake and survival (P>0.05). However there were significant differences in feed conversion ratio (FCR), SGR, total length and standard length among the groups that fed on diets with 15% and 20% supplementations (P<0.05). The haematocrit and hemoglobin were also significantly reduced in the group that fed on the highest level of supplementation (P<0.05). The in-vitro trial revealed significant reduction in digestibility with increase in MLM supplementation level (P<0.05) the tannin and phytic-acid levels following the same trend. However there was no pathological defect observed in the fish from all the groups. There was no significant difference in the hepathosomatic index. The feed cost analysis showed a reduction in cost per 100kg feed with increased level of supplementation with 0.00, 11.50, 23.20, 34.00 and 50.64% for diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. It was concluded that 5 – 10% MLM supplementation could be used in the diets of H. longifilis to obtain a reduction in cost of feeding it at 11.2% and 23.5% per 100Kg feed respectively. There is need to try other processing methods if the level could increase above that obtained from this study

Effects of dietary vegetable oils on growth, lipogenic enzyme activities and tissue fatty acid composition of Heterobranchus longifilis

Abstract Feasibility of total replacement of fish oil (FO) with vegetable oils (palm oil (PO) and soybean oil (SO)) in practical diet for Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings was evaluated. Six iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were prepared. Control diet (A) used FO as the lipid source, diets B–F contained various blends of palm and soybean oils. Fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for twelve weeks. No significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed for feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio or specific growth rates among dietary treatments. Activities of glucose-6-phospate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and malic enzyme (ME) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in fish fed diet C (1.5 % PO). Generally, hepatic G6PDH activity was about 3-4 times higher than ME activity in fish fed the experimental diets. The tissue fatty acid (FA) profiles in fillet and liver reflected the dietary FA compositions. However, the concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were higher in fish tissue (fillet and liver) than in the diets. Results from the present study indicate that replacement of fish oil with vegetable oil resulted in satisfactory growth and body composition characteristics in Heterobranchus longifilis. Compared with soybean oil, palm oil is relatively cheap and readily available; therefore, diet F (6 % PO) is recommended for use in H. longifilis diet.

Implications of Size Heterogeneity and Food Availability on the Survival of Heterobranchus Longifilis Fingerlings

Implications of Size Heterogeneity and Food Availability on the Survival of Heterobranchus Longifilis Fingerlings

Haematology of <i>Heterobranchus longifilis</i> fingerlings fed different dietary levels of <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> leaf meal

This study evaluated the haematological parameters of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings fed different dietary levels of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal. Five hundred (500) H. longifilis fingerlings of mean weight 6.56g ± 0.47 were randomly distributed into treatment tanks and fed twice a day at 3% body weight for 36 weeks. Experimental diets were compounded with each diet containing 10% (SW10), 20% (SW20), 30% (SW30) and 40% (SW40) inclusion of L. leucocephala leaf meal whereas fishmeal based diet (SWC) and commercial diet (SWCF) served as control. The determination of haematological parameters followed standard procedures. Results obtained showed that SWC and SWCF were significantly high (P 0.05). The haematological result revealed that fish fed diet containing 20% L. leucocephala leaf meal inclusion level did not adversely affect the blood parameters of H. longifilis fingerlings. Key Words : Blood parameters, nutrition, leaf meal, plant protein, Leucaena leucocephala, Heterobranchus longifilis

Acute Toxicity of the Pesticides, Dichlorvos and Lindane against the African air-breathing catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis, Valenciennes, 1840 (Siluriformes: Clariidae)

This study raises the awareness to the use of toxic pesticides and reiterates the well-known danger of these pesticides. The acute toxicity of two pesticides, dichlorvos and lindane against the African air-breathing catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings was investigated under static bioassay in the laboratory. Relevant patents relating to acute toxicity of pesticides against fish were reviewed. Invention concerning the detection of biomarkers in material from a living organism relates to a method of testing whether a living organism has been exposed to stress, such as pesticide exposure. Range finding bioassays were conducted to get the range of concentrations for the definitive bioassays. The range of concentrations of test media for dichlorvos was 0.2 - 1.5 mg l-1 while that of lindane was 35 - 80 mg l-1. The median lethal concentrations were determined using probit analysis. The test pesticides were found to be differentially toxic to the test species. The 96h LC50 values of 0.8187 and 41.566 mg l-1 for dichlorvos and lindane respectively indicated that dichlorvos was highly toxic while lindane was slightly toxic to the test species. Computed toxicity factor showed that dichlorvos was 50.8 times more toxic than lindane. The unpaired t-test showed that dichlorvos was significantly (p < 0.05) more toxic than lindane. The physical and chemical parameters data showed that over the 96h periods, the test pesticides caused slight increase in temperature, dissolved oxygen and ammonia of the test media, when compared with the untreated control. But they differentially altered pH, conductivity and alkalinity. Since H. longifilis is sensitive to the test pesticides, it can therefore be considered as a good test species for the determination of acute toxicity and poisoning resulting from the pesticides and possibly for other compounds with similar intrinsic characteristics.

Vegetable Oil Blends as Fish Oil Alternatives in the Diets of Heterobranchus longifilis Fingerlings

This study was undertaken to determine the suitability of vegetable oil blends as a major source of lipid in place of fish oil in the diet of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings. The fish were fed one of the six experimental diets twice daily to satiation for twelve weeks. The test diets were identical in composition, except for the source of supplemental lipid which was either fish oil (FO), palm oil (PO), soybean oil (SO), equal blend of FO and PO (FOPO), e qual blend of PO and SO (POSO) or equal blend of FO, PO and SO (FOPOSO). The growth parameters were significantly different ( P 0.05). Malic enzyme activities in the liver were not significantly different among dietary groups. On the other hand, the activities of glucose - 6 - phosphate dehydrogenase were significantly different and over six - fold hi gher malic enzyme. Results indicated that FO may be replaced with either PO, SO and their blends in H. longifilis diets.

Effect of Crude Palm Oil Incorporation on Growth, Survival, Feed Efficiency, and Body Composition of Heterobranchus longifilis Fingerlings

An 8-week feeding trial was carried out to determine the effect of increasing dietary palm oil levels on African catfish juvenile growth and nutrient utilization. Six isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain 0.5% to 15% crude palm oil with dietary lipid levels ranging from 5% to 20%. Growth performance and protein utilization efficiency of African catfish responded in a positive manner to palm oil addition up to 9% (diet 14% lipid). No further improvement in growth was observed with higher levels of palm oil in the diets, and lower survival was observed with inclusion of 15% palm oil (diet 20% lipid). Whole-body lipid content increased when fish were fed with increasing levels of dietary lipid. Under our experimental conditions, the best growth rate and nutrient utilization were observed with the inclusion of 9% crude palm oil in the diets for African catfish.

The effects of replacement of fish-meal with crab-meal on growth and feed utilization of African giant catfish Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings

A feeding experiment was conducted in plastic aquaria (46 ´ 38 ´ 28 cm3) to investigate the effect of replacing fish-meal (FM) with crab-meal (CM) on growth, feed utilization and body composition of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings with body weight, 3.11 ± 0.56 - 8.48 ± 1.70 g and total length, 73.07 ± 4.99 - 98.69 ± 7.64 mm. Fish and crab-meal were separately used to produce feeds containing 30, 35 and 40% crude protein (CP) and fed to fish for 10 weeks at 5% body weight. The results show that fish fed with 40% CP fish-meal diet had the best growth as indicated in mean weight gain, 6.99 ± 1.70 g; specific growth rate, 4.05 ± 0.19% day-1; feed conversion ratio, 1.12 ± 0.06 and protein efficiency ratio of 2.28 ± 0.12. Diets with FM performed better than CM diets. Percentage survival rate for FM and CM containing diets varied between 91.0 ± 1.63 and 100% and the condition of fish was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Apart from whole body levels of CP in FM fed fish, moisture and fat contents were unaffected by dietary treatments. Deficiency in some essential amino acids and higher dietary ash levels in CM probably impaired effective utilization of these diets compared to FM. Crab-meal diets show appreciable performance and could have potential use as a partial replacer of FM at a particular level. Key words: Heterobranchus longifilis, fish-meal, replacement crab-meal, growth, food utilization.

Effects of dietary protein level on growth and body composition of mudfish, Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings

Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings of mean weight 1.648 g were stocked in plastic aquaria of 0.049 m3 at a rate of 10 fish per aquarium. Fish were fed with diets containing 30, 35 and 40% protein in triplicate for 10 weeks using fish meal as the main protein source. Growth of H. longifilis was significantly different (P < 0.05) among treatments with increasing dietary protein levels. Mean weight gain, length increase, relative growth, specific growth rates, survival and feed conversion ratio for fish fed 40% protein diet were 6.99 ± 1.70 g, 43.58 ± 7.64 mm, 469.26 ± 114.28%, 4.05 ± 0.19% day -1 , 100% and 1.12 ± 0.06, respectively. Protein efficiency ratio was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) for fish fed diet containing 40% protein compared to fish fed 30 and 35% protein. Percent protein in carcass of fish (22.92%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) and the fat level was fairly similar with all diets fed. Results of this study indicate that H. longifilis fingerlings had the best growth when fed with a 40% dietary protein. Keywords : Heterobranchus longifilis , fingerlings, dietary protein, growth, body composition African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(9), pp. 971-975

Effect of dietary palm oil on growth and carcass composition of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings

This study investigated the effects of dietary palm oil (PO) on growth performance and carcass composition of Heterobranchus longifilis with the goal of replacing dietary fish oil with palm oil. In this study triplicate groups of H. longifilis fingerlings were fed the experimental diets for 8 weeks. Five isonitrogenous (45% crude protein), isoenergetic (20 KJg-1) experimental diets were made containing either 6.0% FO and 0% PO, 4.5% FO and 1.5% PO; 3.0% FO and 3.0% PO; 1.5% FO and 4.5% PO; or 0% FO and 6.0% PO using soybean and fish meal as the protein source. Dietary palm oil had no significant effect on growth rate or feed conversion ratio. Similarly, No significant differences were observed between dietary treatments for moisture, protein and ash content in H. longifilis fingerlings. However, fillet saturated, monounsaturated fatty acids and liver lipid deposition were significantly (P<0.05) higher in fish fed 6.0% PO diet. This study suggests that the replacement of cod liver oil by palm oil as lipid supplement in the diet permitted a clear improvement of growth and FCR of H. longifilis. This indicates that PO can effectively replace FO in the diet of the fish without compromising fish growth and feed efficiency.

Culture and Utilization of Earthworm as Animal Protein Supplement in the Diet of Heterobranchus longifilis Fingerlings

Culture and Utilization of Earthworm as Animal Protein Supplement in the Diet of Heterobranchus longifilis Fingerlings

Culture and Utilization of Tadpole as Animal Protein Supplement in the Diet of Heterobranchus longifilis Fingerlings

Culture and Utilization of Tadpole as Animal Protein Supplement in the Diet of Heterobranchus longifilis Fingerlings

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) requirements of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings

A feeding experiment was conducted to quantify the minimum dietary vitamin C requirement of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings. Fish were fed a basal diet with 42.5% crude protein for a conditioning period of 2 weeks. Following conditioning, fingerlings with initial mean weight, 2.3 ± 0.3 g were stocked as groups of 20 fingerlings into 30 litre tanks in a mini-flow through experimental system. Graded levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250) mg of L-ascorbic acid kg-1 diet was included into the basal diet by replacing part of the silica component and fed to triplicate groups for 20 weeks. Fish fed the control (0 mg vitamin C kg-1) diet exhibited deficiency signs including lordosis, caudal fin deformity, skin erosion and significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed weight gain and higher condition factor. Protein efficiency ratio and specific growth rate were significantly (P < 0.05) improved with increasing levels of vitamin C up to 200 mg kg-1 diets. Tissues (liver, kidney, gills and muscle) ascorbate concentration generally reflected dietary inclusion levels with significant (P < 0.05) lowest level occurring in the control groups. The dietary requirement based on least mean squares error regression analysis of weight gain and specific growth rate data on inclusion level of vitamin C was 82.2 ± 0.2 mg vitamin C kg-1 diet which corresponds to 100 mg of vitamin C kg-1 diet. Key words: Vitamin C, requirement, Heterobranchus longifilis, tissue concentration

A comparison of the yield and yield economics of three types of semi-intensive grow out systems, in the production of Heterobranchus longifilis (Teleostei: Clariidae) (Val. 1840), in Southeast Nigeria

The yield and yield economics of three types of semi-intensive catfish grow out systems in southeast Nigeria were compared. These were: an integrated aquaculture–agriculture system, a commercial feed based system using locally produced pellets, and traditional grow out techniques. They were designated treatments 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Replicate new ponds were stocked with 160 Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings and 10 adult Oreochromis niloticus (5 male and 5 female), per treatment. Soybeans were planted at the beginning of grow out to produce grains used as feed supplement in treatment 1. This was done in two consecutive 1-year grow out periods. The feed was prepared by partially substituting the feed ingredients used in treatment 3 with the soy grains. The soy plant matter was used as additional fertilizer. Pond age significantly influenced soy grain and plant matter yield, soy proportion of feed, and its soy-derived protein content ( p < 0.01). H. longifilis yield was significantly affected by treatment ( p < 0.001). In treatment 1, first year cost:benefit was 1:0.48 over variable cost and 1:0.41 over total cost. Second year values were 1:1.39 and 1:1.18 respectively. Cost:benefit in treatment 2 was 1:1.11 over variable cost in both years. Over total cost it was 1:1.03 and 1:1.05 in the first and second years respectively. In treatment 3 first year cost:benefit was 1:0.45 and 1:0.17 over variable and total costs respectively. Second year values were respectively 1:0.92 and 1:0.68, with pelleted feed accounting for 66% and 62% of variable and total costs respectively. Treatment 1 is recommended for adoption as an intermediate step in H. longifilis grow out in southeast Nigeria, until the pelleted feed-driven system becomes profitable.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) requirements of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings

A feeding experiment was conducted to quantify the minimum dietary vitamin C requirement of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings. Fish were fed a basal diet with 42.5% crude protein for a conditioning period of 2 weeks. Following conditioning, fingerlings with initial mean weight, 2.3 ± 0.3 g were stocked as groups of 20 fingerlings into 30 litre tanks in a mini-flow through experimental system. Graded levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250) mg of L-ascorbic acid kg-1 diet was included into the basal diet by replacing part of the silica component and fed to triplicate groups for 20 weeks. Fish fed the control (0 mg vitamin C kg-1) diet exhibited deficiency signs including lordosis, caudal fin deformity, skin erosion and significantly (P vitamin C up to 200 mg kg-1 diets. Tissues (liver, kidney, gills and muscle) ascorbate concentration generally reflected dietary inclusion levels with significant (P control groups. The dietary requirement based on least mean squares error regression analysis of weight gain and specific growth rate data on inclusion level of vitamin C was 82.2 ± 0.2 mg vitamin C kg- 1 diet which corresponds to 100 mg of vitamin C kg-1 diet.

Effects of vitamin C supplementation on the growth of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings

A 12-week growth experiment was conducted to establish the necessity of vitamin C in the nutrition of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings. Vitamin C was supplemented at levels of 0 and 50 mg · kg−1 to a basal diet (42.5% CP), which was fed to triplicate groups of H. longifilis fingerlings. Fish receiving the vitamin C-supplemented diet had significantly improved weight gain (20.7 vs. 16.7 g per fish), feed efficiency ratio (1.03 vs. 1.42), specific growth rate (3.00 vs. 2.74%), protein efficiency ratio (2.26 vs. 1.64), and survival rate (90% vs. 50%). There was a significant decrease in haematocrit and haemoglobin levels in the blood of fish fed no supplemental vitamin C. Furthermore, this group exhibited retarded growth and pathological changes such as vertebral curvature, condensation associated with fragility of the spinal bones. Supplementation of 50 mg vitamin C per kg diet was adequate to prevent the occurrence of vitamin C deficiency in H. longifilis and it was concluded that vitamin C is essential in the nutrition of these fishes.

Growth response and survival of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings fed at different feeding frequencies

In an effort to utilize feed efficiently, promote growth, increase survival and reduce labour costs associated with feeding, Heterobranchus longifilis ingerlings were placed on one of four feeding frequencies; once/day, twice/day; once every other day, and twice every other day for 56 days. They were fed with a commercial floating diet containing 40% crude protein level. They were reared in twelve 14 L plastic aquaria, with 3 aquaria/treatment under laboratory conditions. Each aquarium contained 10 fingerlings. The growth parameters except relative growth rate (RGR) were significantly different for fishes receiving the different treatments. Survival was not significantly different among treatments except for fingerlings fed once every other day. The study suggests that the fingerlings of Heterobrachus longifilis should be fed twice daily for higher growth performance