COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF FORMULATED SOYBEAN DIETS ON THE GROWTH PARAMETERS OF CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) FINGERLINGS

Abstract

The study evaluated comparative effects of formulated soybean diets on the development of juvenile catfish (C.  gariepinus) at the Fishery unit, Federal College of Forestry Jos (FCF, Jos), Plateau State Nigeria. The parameters assessed were length, width, weight gain and survival rate; the experimental period was 6 weeks (42days). A total of 150 C.gariepinus fingerlings were purchased at the Fishery unit, FCF, Jos for the experimental study. The experimental setup comprised five treatments and each replicated. The trial layout was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) utilizing five (5) treatments; with one (1) control. Collected data was analysed using ANOVA and average values were isolated utilizing the New Duncan multiple range test at 5% (p ≤ 0.05) likelihood level. Diet formulation was done using a Pearson square method. The graded inclusion levels of the soybean diets [soybean residue (SBR) and soybean meal (SBM)] were: Treatment one (T1) (100% SBR); Treatment 2 (T2) (25% SBR/ 75% SBM); Treatment 3 (T3) (50% SBR / 50% SBM); Treatment 4 (T4) (75% SBR/25% SBM); and Treatment 5 (T5) (100% Control). The results revealed that C.gariepinus fingerlings in T5 indicated pre-eminent values for the growth parameters with regards to average length (7.00cm), width (2.48cm), weight gain (0.52kg) and survival rate (97%). Therefore, this study recommends increased utilization of soybean meal (100%) formulated at 44% crude proteins as the central diet for C.gariepinus fingerlings; intensification of soybean production and extensive research on formulated soybean diets in aquaculture systems.