Journal of Animal Research and Nutrition

Growth Efficacy and Nutrient Assimilation of Black Soldierfly and Fish Meal in Diet of Clarias gariepinus (Buchell 1822) Fingerlings

Growth performance and nutrient assimilation of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed different levels of Black Soldier Fly (BSF), Hermitia illucens and Fishmeal (FM) for twelve (12) weeks was conducted to develop a low-cost balanced fish diet. Six isonitrogenous crude protein diets were formulated, where BSF replaced FM at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% inclusions. Fingerlings were fed twice daily at 4% body weight and subjected to growth performance and nutrient utilization analysis using indices such as Weight Gain (WG), Percentage Weight Gain (%WG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Gross Feed Conversion Ratio (GFCR), Protein Intake (PI), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and % survivability. Results revealed that the highest cumulative weight gain (6.28 ± 3.23) was recorded in fingerlings fed 40% BSF diet inclusion, while the lowest (3.94 ± 0.82) was observed in the 0% BSF diet inclusion. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in protein intake and percentage survivability, while there were significant differences (p<0.05) in weight gain, percentage weight gain, feed conversion ratio, gross feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. This study indicates that 40% BSF inclusion appear to be suitable in the diet of African catfish, C. gariepinus.

Author(s): Ayofe M Hammed1, Albert O Amosu2*, Theophilus F Sunnuvu3, Olufemi O Joseph2, Lucas O Dalmeida2 and Oluwajuwon A Fasasi1

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