Growth performance of Heterobranchus longifilis, (Valenciennes, 1840) Fingerlings Fed with Nymphaea lotus (Linné, 1753)

Abstract

A 56-day feeding trial was performed to examine the effects of using Nymphaea lotus leaf meal (NLM) on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, and survival rate of African catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis). Five treatment groups in triplicates with an average of the initial weight of 0.26±0.07g were fed diets incorporated with graded levels of NLM (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%). The obtained results showed that higher final body weight (FBW), daily weight gain (DWG), and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed with fish fed the control diet (CD) and NLM at the level of 20% compared to those of fish fed other diets. Protein efficiency ratios (PER) were not altered with dietary treatment. In addition, feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fish groups fed up to 30% of NLM were not varied (p>0.05), meanwhile, daily feed intake of fish fed NLM diets exhibited lower values compared to those of fish fed CD. Final whole body proximate compositions of catfish showed no significant differences (P>0.05) except for the body total fat and ash contents. Fat contents of fish fed diets incorporated with NLM were significantly lower than those of fish fed the control diet (CD) (P<0.05). Meanwhile, ash contents of fish fed diets incorporated with high levels of NLM (30, 40%) were significantly lower than those of fish fed the control diet (CD) (P<0.05). Survival rates ranged between 72 - 80% and there were no differences among all groups (P > 0.05). Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that up to 20% of NLM protein can be incorporated in the diet of African catfish with no adverse effects on growth performance, feed utilization, and survival rate.