Growth Performance, Feed Utilization And Cost Benefits of Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Geoffroy St Hilaire, 1809) Fed Fermented Apple–Ring (Faidherbia albida) Seed Diet

Abstract

The study evaluated the growth performance and feed utilization of African catfish,
Heterobranchus bidorsalis, fed varying levels of fermented Faidherbia albida seed meal as a
replacement for soybean for 90 days. Five experimental feeds (Diets 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5), each
with about 40 % crude protein content, were formulated at diet 1 = 0 %, diet 2 = 25 %, diet 3
= 50 %, diet 4 = 75 %, and diet 5 = 100 % inclusion levels of fermented F. albida seed meal
(FFA). Fish were acclimatized for one week and stocked in 35L capacity plastic bowls for
each feed with 3 replicates. The initial mean weight of fish was 1.2.00 - 1.21 g. Fish were fed
at 5% body weight daily and adjusted accordingly every fortnight. Water quality parameters
were noted morning and evening bi-weekly. Treatments that contained 25 % FFA gave the
highest performance with respect to mean weight gain, specific growth rate, and relative
growth rate. The feed utilization indices were generally fair across all treatments, with best
performance in the treatment containing 25 % FFA. Feed conversion ratio gave the highest
value of 1.80 in 100 % (D5) compared to the lowest (1.30) obtained in fish fed the control.
Feed conversion ratio differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the treatments. Fish fed the
control and D2 diets gave the highest values (0.29) of protein efficiency ratio, and the lowest
value of 0.11 was recorded in fish fed the 100% diet. The results revealed that 25 % (D2)
fermented F. albida can be included in the diet of H. bidorsalis without adverse effects on the
fish.