Fagbenro OA ;

Aquaculture Nutrition vol. 1 (4)   pp. 221-225, 1995

Isoproteic and isoenergetic diets containing 0%, 15%, 30% or 45% heat-processed cocoa pod husk meal (CPHM) were fed to Clarias isheriensis (16.8 plus or minus 2.4 g) for 180 days. Growth rates of catfish fed varying levels of CPHM were similar (P > 0.05). Differences in feed-gain ratio (FGR) or protein efficiency ratio (PER) between treatments were not significant (P > 0.05). Histology of the liver showed no pathological effects of incorporation of CPHM. In a second experiment, C. isheriensis (19.1 plus or minus 3.5 g) were fed isoenergetic diets containing 250, 300, 350 and 400 protein g/kg (protein: energy ratios of 21, 25, 29 and 33 mg protein/kJ DE, respectively). Growth rate and FGR improved (P < 0.05) in proportion to the dietary protein level. PER decreased with increase in dietary protein. Carcass protein was lowest (P < 0.05) in catfish fed 250 g protein/kg, but did not differ among the other diets (P > 0.05). Body fat was highest in catfish fed 250 g protein/kg and lowest in fish fed 350 g protein/kg. These results indicate that CPHM may be a suitable carbohydrate energy source for clariids at a P:E ratio of approximately 29 mg protein/kJ DE

Diets ;  Feed composition ;  Fish culture ;  Biological production ;  Growth ;  Clarias isheriensis ;