Haematology and Serum Characteristics of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell) Fed Graded Levels of Tigernut Based Diet
L. A. Agbabiaka *
Department of Fisheries Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria
F. N. Madubuike
Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria
B. U. Ekenyem
Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The chronic effect of feeding tigernut based diets was investigated on African catfish (Clarias garerpinus). 225 African catfish were randomly allotted to five experimental diets (CP=40%) in which tiger nut replaced maize at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively and fed at 3% body weight daily for a period of 20 weeks. Other water quality parameters were maintained throughout the duration of the study. Blood samples were collected from fish in replicates and analyzed for haematological and serum parameters. Results of the haematology showed no significant differences among the parameters except haemoglobin and Packed cell volume (p<0.05). Similar observation was recorded for the serum biochemistry (p>0.05). This trial indicated that tigernut meal can replace maize wholly in diets of African catfish without any deleterious effect on the physiology and/or health status of the fish
Keywords: Catfish, tigernut, replacement, blood analysis