EFFECT OF VARYING DIETARY PROTEIN LEVELS ON GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF AFRICAN CATFISH Clarias gariepinus FINGERLINGS

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1 , February ; Volume 2(1) ISSN No EFFECT OF VARYING DIETARY PROTEIN LEVELS ON GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF AFRICAN CATFISH Clarias gariepinus FINGERLINGS Reginald Inodu Keremah * and Odite Beregha Department of Fisheries and Livestock Production Technology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Received December 30, 2013; Revision January 15, 2014, Accepted February 27, 2014 Available Online - February 28, 2014 KEYWORDS Protein requirement Fishmeal Growth Nutrient utilization Diet ABSTRACT A study was undertaken to determine the effect of different dietary protein levels on the growth and nutrient utilization of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. C. gariepinus were fed on a total of six experimental diets with various protein levels 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50% with initial weight from g and length cm in plastic aquaria for 42days. Mean weight gain, (1.10±0.23g), percent weight gain (183.33±29.79%) and specific growth rate (2.34%day -1 ) were higher for 35% crude protein (CP) Diet. Fish condition was 1.18±0.15 (Diet C) 9.23±0.15 (Diet E) and survival varied from % for the diets. Feed conversion ratio improved with increase in dietary protein, 9.38(25%CP Diet)-2.13(50% CP Diet). Protein efficiency ratio values ( ) were fairly similar for 30%-45% CP Diets indicating low efficiency. The conducive culture environment supported growth and survival of the fish. Although all diets increased growth of fish, the 35% CP which resulted in best growth performance was probably adequate to meet the dietary protein needs of C. gariepinus fingerlings in this study. * Corresponding author kreginald6@gmail.com (Reginald Inodu Keremah) Peer review under responsibility of Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences. Production and Hosting by Horizon Publisher ( All rights reserved.

2 14 Keremah and Beregha 1 Introduction Development of nutritious and cost effective diets is dependent on the knowledge of basic nutritional requirements of organisms. It is also important to meet these requirements with balanced feed formulation and appropriate feeding practices (Tucker, 1998). Protein requirement study is one of the most important aspects on fish nutrition. Protein provides essential amino acids which are used for tissue repair and growth of the fish. Dietary protein has significant importance in aquaculture systems because it represents considerable economic investment and a central factor that determines fish growth so long as other physiological requirements needed for growth are fulfilled (De Silva et al., 1989; Buttle et al., 1995). Also, maximum utilization of dietary protein for growth depends on the quality of the proteins used. Food use and fish growth are greatly influenced by protein content, feed intake, fish size, salinity, stress and water temperature (Anguas Vélez et al., 2000). Watanabe (1988) reported that these factors affect nutritional requirements and optimal dietary levels of nutrients such as protein. Fish feed should be carefully formulated so as to ensure that the protein fraction does not exceed the optimum level required by the fish in order to minimize waste. Most of the carnivorous fish studied show a relatively high dietary protein requirement in the range of 35-70% (Tucker, 1998). Brett & Groves (1979) explained this to be that fish being aquatic obtain sufficient energy from chemical breakdown of proteins than land animals. The African catfish, Clarias gariepinus is a highly demanded indigenous fresh water food fish in Nigeria. It s resistant to diseases, has the ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions and high stocking densities under culture condition with relative fast growth and good quality flesh (Holden & Reed, 1972). This fish is recognized as an ideal candidate for aquaculture due to its continued reproductive performance, ability to efficiently utilize commercial feedstuffs and the capacity to use atmospheric oxygen (Haylor, 1989). It is also becoming an increasingly important commercial species in parts of Africa and Europe (FAO, 1992). Earlier reports on protein requirement for various fishes had been with varying results. Fatuorti et al. (1986) reported the requirement of 40% CP for the growth of Clarias lazera, similarly Eyo & Falayi (1999) noted the need of 35% CP for Heterobranchus Iongifilis x C. anguillaris fingerlings to sub-adult, 37.5% CP for C. gariepinus fingerlings (Faturoti & Akinbote, 1986) and 40% CP for C. anguillaris fry to fingerlings (Madu & Olurebi, 1987). Hence the objective of this study was to reassess the protein requirement of C. gariepinus fingerlings for which some data are available. Our main goal was to ascertain the most economical dietary protein level for catfish culture because protein is an expensive constituent and feed represents the single largest cost in fish culture. 2 Materials and Methods 2.1Experimental diets Six practical diets varying in protein levels (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50%) were prepared by using Ethmalosa fimbriata fish meal as the main protein source. The ingredients were ground with a grinder (Model ASEFAC) and weighed out (weighing balance Model OHAUS-LS 200) for each diet according to proportion (Table 1) into a clean basin. Mixtures were hand mixed; gelatinized starch and water were then added and mixed again until a stiff dough was formed. The dough was extruded through a pelleting machine (INTRA PRO 600) with a 2mm die. The pellets were collected in flat trays and sundried for 2 days to constant weight, then broken into bits as crumbles with a mortar and pestle, cooled and stored in clean labeled containers at room temperature for later use. Other diets were also prepared by similar method. Table 1 Percent composition of experimental diets. Feed ingredient Diets and Crude protein levels A (25%) B (30%) C (35%) D (40%) E (45%) F (50%) Fish meal (68.47%CP) Corn (10.55%CP) Wheat bran (18.54% CP) Vitamin/Mineral premix Ascorbic acid Bone meal Common salt Red palm oil Starch (Binder) Total

3 Effect of varying dietary protein levels on growth and nutrient utilization of african catfish Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. 15 Table 2 Growth performance and diet utilization of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed diets with different protein levels. Parameters Dietary protein level 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Initial mean weight (g) Mean final weight (g) Initial mean length (cm) Mean final length (cm) Weight gain (g) 0.67±0.22 b 0.47±0.22 c 1.10±0.23 a 0.63±0.23 b 0.60±0.31 b 0.62±0.23 b Weight gain (%) ±28.62 d 88.68±28.62 e ±29.79 a 105.0±9.79 d 120.0±39.63 c 124.0±29.79 b Specific growth rate (% day- 1 ) Condition factor (K) 1.20±0.15 d 7.95±0.15 b 1.18±0.15 d 4.30±1.45 c 9.23±0.15 a 1.18±0.15 d Feed conversion ratio 9.38±1.38 a 8.86±1.38 a 4.06±1.38 b 3.89±1.38 b 4.14±1.38 b 2.13±1.38 c Protein efficiency ratio Survival rate (%) 61.11±3.24 a 67.78±3.24 a 40.28±3.37 b 41.94±3.37 b 45.56±4.48 b 39.72±3.37 b Mean with same letter for a given parameter in the same horizontal row are not significantly different (P>0.05). 2.2 Culture system and feeding trials The culture system for study consisted of 18 plastic aquaria measuring 20 x 14 x 12cm 3. Each aquarium was connected with an aerator (AP 1500), air tube and air stone for oxygen supply to the water. A netting material of 2mm mesh size covered each aquarium to prevent fish from jumping out and to keep off predators. Clean bore-hole water was used to fill the aquaria to 20-litre mark. One hundred and eighty Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were obtained from a local farm (Top Hill Farm) and were acclimatized for 6days in plastic tanks and fed by diet with 40% crude protein before transfer to the experimental system. For the feeding trial, 3 replications with 10 fish of a uniform weight range, g and mean body length cm for each of the treatments were selected. Fish were fed by hand twice daily at 0800 and 1600 hours local time with appropriate diet at 5% wet body weight, divided into 2 equal feedings. As fish increased in weight during the experiment, feeding was adjusted fortnightly based on the new weight. Uneaten feed and wastes (faeces) were removed daily from each aquarium by siphoning and water also replaced by half. Complete cleaning of aquaria and re-filling with fresh water were done every other day throughout the experiment. Water quality was monitored by measuring temperature with a laboratory mercury-in-glass thermometer (0-100 o C), ph by ph meter (E25) and dissolved oxygen determined by Winkler s method. All fish were weighed and body length measured in each aquarium at the start of the trial and on weekly basis for 42days. This experiment was conducted from March to April, 2011 in the Department of Fisheries Laboratory in Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State in Nigeria. 2.3 Evaluation of Fish performance Fish performance was evaluated by calculating the following parameters: Weight gain = final weight (g) initial weight of fish (g), weight gain (%) = 100 x final weight (g) initial weight (g)/initial weight (g), specific growth rate (%day -1 ), SGR= 100 x l n final weight l n initial weight / days, condition factor (K) = 100w/l 3 where w= observed total weight (g), and l= observed total length (cm), survival of fish (%), S= 100 x N i/n o - where, N i and N o= number of fish alive at end and beginning of experiment, feed conversion ratio (FCR) = feed intake (g)/weight gain (g) and protein efficiency ratio (PER)= wet weight gain of fish (g)/ weight of protein fed (g). 2.4 Method of Data analysis The data obtained from this study were analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance using the special package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16.0 computer programme (Wahua, 1999). Duncan s Multiple Range Test (Duncan, 1955) procedures were used to determine pair-wise differences between means of individual treatments at 0.05 level of significance. 3 Results Growth performance and survival values of C. gariepinus fingerlings fed experimental diets with varying protein levels are shown in Table 2. All the fishes fed on various dietary treatments showed increases in their body weights and lengths. The final weight gain (WG), weight gain (%), PWG and specific growth rate (SGR) increased as dietary protein level increased. Diet containing 35% CP resulted in greatest increase in body weight gain (1.10±0.23g) and percent weight gain (183.33±29.79%) of fish. Performance thereafter reduced as dietary protein increased from 40-50%. The least increases in weight of 0.47±0.22g and 88.68±28.62% were observed in fish fed 30% CP diet. The SGR increased steadily from 1.09% day -1 (Diet 25% CP) 5.50% day -1 (Diet 45%CP) and values for 35% and 40% CP were not significantly different (P>0.05). Fish condition ranged 1.18± ±0.15 in this study but was best for fish fed Diets containing 45% CP (9.23±0.15) and 30% CP (7.95±0.15). Feed conversion ratio was best for 50%

4 16 Keremah and Beregha CP diet (2.13±1.38) while diets with 35%, 40% and 45% CP had similar FCR (3.89± ±1.38). There was no much difference in PER among dietary treatments ( ). Fish survival during this trial varied from 39.72±3.37% (Diet 50%CP) 67.78±3.24 (Diet 30% CP). Water temperature ranged from o C with a mean of o C for all diets, ph was with the highest mean value of 6.89±0.05 for Diet with 50% CP. Dissolved oxygen level was mg/l in the aquaria. 4 Discussion 4.1 Growth performance Growth in study has been expressed as the percent average gain in weight over the test period. Values of growth indices (WG, PWG and SGR) increased with increasing fish meal (FM) dietary protein source from 25% to 35% and then declined at 40%CP. This observation suggested that a 35% high quality protein ration with FM would probably provide the needed protein by C. gariepinus fingerlings for good growth performance. Wilson (1984) explained that if rich protein diet is supplied to fish, the protein not utilized to make new proteins will be broken down to produce energy. The 35% CP requirement observed for C. gariepinus fingerlings in this study corroborated the reports of Faturoti & Akinbote (1986) for C. gariepinus, Eyo & Falayi (1999) for catfish hybrid and Giri et al. (2003) for hybrid clarias catfish in earlier studies. 4.2 Feed utilization The quantity and quality of feed demands for routine maintenance and activity to a large extent will determine the effect of food consumed on growth (Warren & Davis, 1967). Food utilization expressed as FCR is known to be affected by body weight (Pandian, 1967), ration, size (Condrey, 1982) and temperature (Smith, 1989). The higher FCR for 25 and 30% CP diets indicated that food utilization became less efficient and apparently fish did not consume the amount of protein needed for optimum growth (Anguas-Vélez et al., 2000). However, FCR became lower at higher levels of dietary protein (35-45% CP) showing similarity ( ) but improved food utilization. The FCR values obtained in this study appeared to decrease with increase in protein level within the range of 25-40% CP. This is consistent with other carnivorous fishes such as estuary grouper Epinephelus salmoides (Teng et al., 1978) and striped bass Morone saxatilis (Berger & Halver, 1987) that accept formulated diets. Protein efficiency ratio values were similar especially among 30-45% dietary protein levels tested. These results corroborated with the findings of Mohanty & Samantaray (1996) for snakehead Channa striata fry and Lochmann & Phillips (1994) for gold fish Carassius auratus juveniles using casein or other protein sources. It appeared that protein was used with rather low efficiency independently of the dietary protein level (Anguas- Vélez et al., 2000). The slight decrease of PER with increasing protein ( ) in present study could probably also make PER to be consistent with other studies on carp Cyprinus sp. (Ogino & Saito, 1970), gilthead sea bream (Sabaut & Luquet, 1973), Nile tilapia O. niloticus (Siddiqui et al., 1988) and Florida red hybrid tilapia (Clark et al., 1990). Millikan (1982) reported that fish often have their best PER when fed dietary protein concentrations less than that yielding maximum growth and lowest FCR. This fact was also observed in this study with 25% CP diet. The use of fishmeal to determine protein requirement for C. gariepinus fingerlings in this study was based on Its superior protein quality and palatability over other sources in fish diets (Webster et al., 2000). The nutritional value of a protein source is a function of its digestibility and amino acids make up to influence feed utilization and growth (Otisi & Ufodike, 1986). Fish meal satisfies this requirement and is also a rich source of energy and minerals. The moderate survival and good growth of fish fed 35% CP diet could be as a result of good culture environment provided by the water quality parameters that were within tolerable limits for fish culture (Boyd, 1982) and fish handling technique. Conclusion Based on the relationship of weight gain and SGR to dietary protein content, maximum growth of C. gariepinus fingerlings, 0.60g reared through 6 weeks was found to occur at 35% CP. This information would be of value to feed producers and farmers as a working tool and guide in catfish feed production. References Anguas-Vélez BH, Civera-Cerecedo R, Cadena-Roa M, Guillaume J, Martinez-Diaz. SF (2000) Studies on the Nutrition of Spotted Sand Bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus: Effect of the Dietary Protein Level on Growth and Protein utilization in Juveniles Fed Semi purified Diets. 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