Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings Fed Fermented Canavalia ensiformis Seed Meals

Background and Objective: Fish farms’ output and profits have been facing a greater challenge with a hike in the price of feed ingredients hence, this study was designed to evaluate the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed fermented Canavalia ensiformis seed meals. Materials and Methods: The proximate analysis of the diets was done using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods. Fermented Canavalia ensiformis meals were used to formulate five different 40.0% isoproteic experimental diets each at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% and coded FCe, which were fed at 5% body weight to fingerlings of Clarias gariepinusfingerlings. One hundred and fifty Clarias gariepinus (0.96 g±0.03 and 3.93 cm±0.28) were randomly assigned to five treatments of ten fingerlings, replicated three times in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) in 35 L plastic circular tanks through a semi-flow-through system for 84 days. Weights and lengths were measured biweekly and used to calculate the growth and nutrient utilization parameters. Nutrients, digestibility, haematology and economic evaluation of the fish fed the diets were also determined. Data collected were analysed using a one-way analysis of variance. Results: There were significant differences (p<0.001) in the specific growth rate as the inclusion levels of the tested meals increased. The mean water quality parameters were within the tolerable limit for aquaculture. Nutrient digestibility and haematology were significantly (p<0.001) reduced in the treatment diets. Inclusion of the tested meals in the diets resulted in the reduction of feed cost kg^–1, cost of feed intake/fish and feed cost/weight gain with increased inclusion levels. Conclusion: Clarias gariepinus fingerlings can feed on up to 25% inclusion-level fermented Canavalia ensiformis diet without adverse effects on the growth performance.