Effects of replacement of maize with cassava stem meal on growth and haematology of african catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) fingerling

The study investigated effects of replacing maize meal with cassava stem meal on growth performance and haematology of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings. Cassava stem meal (CSM) was substituted for maize at 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% to produce five isonitrogenous (45% CP) diets. C. gariepinus fingerlings (mean weight 3.08±0.02g) were randomly distributed into concrete tanks (0.9m3) at 10 fish/tank in triplicates and fed twice daily for 8 weeks. Results showed the highest mean weight gain (1.72±0.01g) and the best food conversion ratio (0.08±0.01) in fish fed diet containing 25% CSM which were significantly different (p<0.05) from other treatments. Fish fed 100% CSM recorded the highest value for protein efficiency ratio which differed significantly (p<0.05) from other treatments. The highest survival rate of (73.3±0.01%) was recorded in fish fed 50% and 100% cassava stem meal inclusion levels while the lowest (33.4±0.01%) was observed in the control diet. The haematological results showed that packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and haemoglobin (Hb) were significantly different (p<0.05) among treatments. There was an increase in the counts of PCV, white blood cell, Hb, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin while mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration remained constant in all the treatments. The study revealed that 25% substitution rate of maize with cassava stem meal would not have any adverse effect on the growth and blood parameters of catfish. Key words: Cassava stems meal, fish growth, nutrient utilization, haematology, C. gariepinus