Growth performance of the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, fed varying inclusion levels ofLeucaena leucocephala leaf meal

The efficacy of treated Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal as an ingredient in diet of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, of mean weight 40.18±0.51g was evaluated over a 90-day growth period. Fourexperimental diets were formulated at 0% (control), 10%, 20% and 30% inclusion levels of treated Leucaena leaf meal. Leaves were treated by soaking in water for 3 days and sun-drying for another 3 days. A control diet of fish meal with fish meal serving as the only protein source was formulated. All diets were isonitrogenous (30% protein). The 90-day feeding experiment was conducted in concrete tanks, each treatment having three replicates. Fish fed 20% Leucaena leaf meal recorded the best growth performance in body weight gain and Specific Growth Rate (SGR), although the best Feed conversion Ration (FCR) was recorded for fish fed on the control diet of 0% Leucaenameal. There were no significant differences between fish fed the control diet and the other experimental (P>0.05). The study demonstrated that Leucaeana leucocephala leaf meal may be included in the diets of Clarias gariepinus at inclusion levels of up to 30% but it is efficacious and cost effective at 20% inclusion level. It is, therefore, recommended that Leucana leucocephala leaf meal be used to partially to replace the expensive and imported fish meal.