NUTRIENT UTILIZATION, GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HEAMATOLOGY OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS FED DIETARY GARCINIA KOLA FOR QUALITY FISH PRODUCTION
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Abstract
One hundred and fifty African catfish (mean weight, 673.30-813.30g) were divided equally among five groups in triplicate. Each group is a treatment of graded bitter kola (Garcinia kola) inclusion level for ensuring healthy fish production. Five diets (42% crude protein) containing varying levels of powdered whole seed of G. kola at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and J.OOg/kg were prepared as treatments Tl- T5 respectively. All groups were fed respective treatment-based-diets for forty-two (42) days during which data on body weight and blood parameters were recorded. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the growth performance and nutrient utilization efficiency. Fish fed 0.25g/kg G. kola inclusion (T2) had the best weight gain and specific growth rate with relative inferior feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio to T4 and 5 (p>0.05). Values of Pack Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin Concentration (Hb) and Red Blood Cell (RBC) count were highest in T2 but they all decreased with increasing levels of G. kola inclusion. White Blood Cells (WBC) count generally decreased from Tl to T5. The bacterial load of the culture medium decreased accordingly with increasing G. kola inclusion in tanks which may be as a result of the antimicrobial effect of G. kola whole seeds. Inclusion of G. kola whole seeds at 0.25g/kg in catfish diet is recommended to ensure successful fish production.