Influence of including maize offal in diets on growth, carcass composition and economics of Clarias gariepinus

Aiming at finding cheaper and still efficient feed for aquaculture species 56 days feeding trial was conducted on African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) post fingerlings, fed five diets with a 40% crude protein target in which maize replaced offal meal 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% respectively. Ten fish each were stocked plastic aquarium tank containing 20 L of water. The 5% body weight divided into two rations ginen the hours 8-8:30 am 5-5:30pm. Growth parameters showed increase based diets, observed gains 72.42, 79.00, 95.92, 130.83 65.83 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Feed conversion ratio (recorded best 75% diet substitution, while poorest recorded 25% replacement, followed by control (100% diet). replacement highest specific growth rate (p<0.05).There significant difference (p<0.05) ash content, fiber energy level carcass. cost used throughout experimental period not significantly (p>0.05) influenced increasing as costs comparable. However, this study reveals that can successfully up to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings without adverse effect growth, carcass composition economics.