Evaluation of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) Meal as a Replacement for Maize Meal in the Diet of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fingerlings

摘要

The effects of replacing maize meal with tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) meal on the growth and performance of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings in aquaria tanks system were studied. Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (12.50 ±1.13 g) were fed five isonitrogenous diets (40% crude protein) with varying levels of tigernut inclusion. The diets were A (0%, control), B (25%), C (50%), D (75%) and E (100%). The fish were fed to satiation at 5% body weight twice per day for 8 weeks (56 days) and the fish growth parameters measured. There was an increase in mean weight gain (MWG) as the amount of tigernut meal increased from 0 to 100%. One hundred percent inclusion level of tigernut meal gave the highest mean weight gain (MWG), mean final weight, specificgrowth rate (SGR), total fish production (TFP) of 9.20 g, 22.13 g, 0.96%/day and 2.11 kg/m~3 respectively and the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 4.12. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the fish between the diets.