GROWTH PERFORMANCE, FEED UTILIZATION AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF Clarias gariepinus JUVENILES FED DIFFERENT INCLUSION LEVELS OF AFRICAN STARAPPLE PULP (Chrysophyllum albidum Linn)

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of African star apple pulp (ASA) on growth performance, feed utilization and economic analysis of Clarias gariepinus juveniles for 8 weeks. Six experimental diets 40% CP were formulated for the fish to contain African star apple pulp at different inclusion levels (0.0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) and denoted as ASA – ASA respectively. Two hundred and forty (240) C. gariepinus juveniles 16 with the initial body weight of 14.20±0.2g were replicated twice with 20 fish per replicate fed at 3% body weight. Growth performance and feed utilization indices such as Weight Gain (WG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Percentage Weight Gain (PWG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Survival Rate (SR), Nitrogen Metabolism (NM), and Production Performance Index (PPI) were determined using standard methods. Results showed that C. gariepinus fed the control diet had better values of WG, PWG, SGR, and NM among the dietary groups, but ASA had a significantly higher WG, PWG, SGR, and NM of 39.22g, 276.23%, 31.00g and 1039.50g respectively when compared with other treated groups. There were significant differences (P< 0.05) in these values when compared to the control. The highest Cost of Flesh Gain (CFG), Profit Index (PI), Net Production Value (NPV), Gross Profit (GP), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) and Economic Conversion Ratio (ECR) were obtained in control than other dietary groups. The CFG, PI, NPV, GP. BCR and ECR were varied signifcantly (P <0.05) among the dietary groups. The results suggest that the partial replacement of African star apple pulp with rice bran in the diet of the experimental fish could be a potential, less expensive and promising replacement that would positively enhance weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and economic performance of C. gariepinus juveniles.