Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles Fed Graded Levels of Roasted Tropical Almond (Terminalia catappa Linnaeus) Kernel Meal Based Diets

Abstract

Feeding trial was conducted in experimental plastic tanks (50 x 35 x 33 cm) to assess the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed diets containing Roasted Tropical Almond Kernel Meal (ROAM) for 105 days. Five isonitrogenous diets composed of 0, 25, 50, 75  and 100% ROAM as a  replacement for Soybean Meal (SBM) were fed to the fish twice daily at 3% body weight. Each dietary treatment was replicated with 20 fish per replicate (initial mean weight 12.03±0.01 g). Mean Weight Gain (MWG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were calculated. Economic benefit of replacing SBM with ROAM in C. gariepinus diet was evaluated using Profit Index (PI) and Incidence of cost (IC). Data were subjected to Descriptive statistics and ANOVA at p=0.05. Fish fed 75% ROAM diet had the highest MWG (69.03 g), SGR (1.68 %), and the least FCR (1.57), while 100% ROAM had the least values for MWG (27.02 g), SGR (0.66 %) and the highest FCR (3.30). Incidence of cost (0.36) was least in 75% ROAM and highest (0.70) in 100% ROAM diet. 75% ROAM had the highest Profit Index (1.40) while 100% ROAM had the least value (0.76). Roasted Almond kernel meal can economically replace soybean meal up to 75% in Clarias gariepinus diet. Substitution beyond this level caused growth and economic depression.

Keywords: Catfish, feed conversion ratio, Indian almond, soybean meal, specific growth rate.