Growth performance of hybrid catfish (?Heterobranchus bidorsalis X ?Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed raw pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seed meal based diets

Title : Growth performance of hybrid catfish (?Heterobranchus bidorsalis X ?Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed raw pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seed meal based diets

Abstract:

This study was aimed at evaluating the growth response of hybrid catfish (Heteroclarias) (?HeterobranchusbidorsalisX ?Clariasgariepinus) fed raw pumpkin (Cucurbitapepo) seed meal based diets at varying inclusion levels. Fingerlings of average weight 5.89g were stocked in 15 plastic tanks and fed with diets containing varying inclusion levels of pumpkin seed meal (PSM) based diets as follows; T1 (0% RPSM), T2 (10% RPSM), T3 (20% RPSM), T4 (30% RPSM) and T5 (40% RPSM). The experiment lasted for 70 days. The water quality parameters were monitored weekly and the weight was taken every fortnight. Best growth performance results were observed in fish fed T3 with highest weight gain as 215.69 g, specific growth rate 2.24, protein efficiency ratio 3.85 and feed conversion ratio 1.39 while the lowest values were observed in T2 with weight gain as 176.31 g, specific growth rate 1.98, Protein efficiency ratio 3.15 and Feed conversion ratio 1.71. The cost analysis indicated that the cost of production of feed reduced with increasing inclusion levels of pumpkin seed meal. The study indicated that raw pumpkin seed has good potential as a feed ingredient and as a substitute for groundnut cake which is very costly and has high competition for its use. However, in the diet of Heteroclarias substitution level above 20% is not encouraged. Keywords: Raw pumpkin seed meal,Growth response,Proximate analysis, Hybrid catfish.

Biography:

Prof. Obe studied Fisheries and Wildlife for her 1st Degree at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria and graduated in 2000. She had her Master of Science (MSc.) degree in Fisheries Management at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and graduated in 2004. She then joined the services of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State as an Assistant Lecturer in the year 2008. She received her PhD degree in 2016 at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. She has published 35 peer-reviewed research articles in reputable journals.