Growth performance and feed utilisation in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed graded levels of melon (Citrillus lanatus) seed peel meal-supplemented die

A fifty-six (56) day experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and feed utilization in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed with six iso-nitrogenous diets in which oven-dried melon (Citrillus lanatus) seed peel meal (MSPM) was substituted for yellow maize at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% inclusion levels. A total of 270 fingerlings of C. gariepinus (mean weight: 7.40 ± 0.02 g) were randomly allocated into eighteen plastic bowls (50-litre capacity) at 15 fish per bowl and fed the control and experimental diets twice daily at 5% of their body weight. Proximate composition of melon seed peel meal-supplemented diets and fish carcass was determined using standard procedures. Results showed that crude protein was highest (60.75%) in fish fed diet 2 (20% MSPMsupplemented diet) and least (58.21%) in fish fed diet 4 (60% MSPM-supplemented diet). Fish fed diet 2 (20%MSPM-supplemented diet) had statistically (p < 0.05) superior values of MWG (48.27 g), SGR (1.56%/day) and FCR (0.48) beyond which growth and feed utilization indices gradually declined with increased level of MSPM inclusion. This study demonstrated that 20% substitution level of oven-dried melon seed peel meal produced the best growth and feed utilization in C. gariepinus. Keywords: Melon seed peel, Clarias gariepinus, Growth performance, Feed utilization