Abstract

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A study was conducted to determine the growth responses of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) to dietary inclusion of green leaf (Amaranthus cruentus) of the Amaranthecea family. 360 fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus fish of mean weight 1.980.25g from the same stock were randomly stocked at 20 fishes per plastic aquarium at 6 treatment levels, each with 3 replicates. The effect of partial and total replacement of the commercial fish premix with the green leaf on the growth variables and nutrient utilization, were assessed. Six practical diets with graded replacement levels of commercial premix by dry Amaranthus cruentus green leaf powder at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% were formulated and fed to C. gariepinus fingerlings for 16 weeks at 5% biomass. The dietary groups were designated Co (control), X₂₀, X₄₀, X₆₀, X₈₀ and X₁₀₀ inclusion levels. Diet Co contained 100% commercial premix, while diet X100 contained 100% dry green leaf powder. The other treatment groups had their different graded levels of fish and leaf premixes. The results obtained from the study indicated that Amaranthus cruentus leaf when used as a premix in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings can completely replace commercial fish premix at the 100% inclusion level. The highest values of growth performance were: final weight 175.50±0.34g, weight gain 173.02±0.85g, daily weight gain 18.91±0.21g, Absolute growth rate 160.21±2.43 and specific growth rate 2.18±0.12 were recorded in the control and closely followed by the X₁₀₀ treatment group. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the values in the control and X100 diet.

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