Growth performance and hematology indices of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) fed graded level of roasted Jatropha curcas meal

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of replacing roasted Jatropha curcas (J. curcas) meal with maize on performance and hematology indices of Clarias gariepinus (C. gariepinus). Four diets containing varied inclusion of J curcas replacing maize at 0% (D1), 10% (D2), 20% (D3) and 30% (D4) were formulated. C. gariepinus (n=180) weighing 29.52±0.40g were fed to satiation with the treatments for 12 weeks. Each treatment was in triplicate. Roasted J. curcas had 12.37% crude protein and 31.83% carbohydrate. Supplementation of J. curcas significantly (P<0.05) increased final weight gain of C. gariepinus fed 10% (68.96±3.53) J. curcas replaced diet and least in diet D3. C. gariepinus had least feed conversion ratio when fed diet D2 (2.23±0.67). However, Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of the experimental fish were unaffected with J. curcas supplementation and the values ranged from D4 (16.67±2.08) to D1 (22.33±3.05). Red blood cell (RBC) significantly reduces as J. curcas supplementation increases with the higher RBC in diet D1 (2.27±0.21) and least in diet D4 (1.77±0.31). C. gariepinus fed diet D2 had a significantly higher whole body crude protein value of 62.65±0.58 and C. gariepinus fed diet D4 had the least value. Supplementation of J. curcas in C. gariepinus could improve growth performance and health status with 10% J. curcas inclusion and any further supplementation could negatively affect performance and health of the fish.