Effects of Teifairia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina Supplements on Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings

This study examined the growth-enhancing potential of Telfaira occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina leaf powder in Clarias gariepinus culture. The experiment was conducted at Tiddo Fish Farm Makurdi. One thousand juvenile catfish were obtained from the farm’s hatchery and allocated to five treatment groups identified as Control (0% supplement inclusion), T1 (10% fluted pumpkin leaf powder inclusion), T2 (20% fluted pumpkin leaf powder inclusion), T3 (10% bitter leaf powder inclusion) and T4 (20% bitter leaf powder inclusion). The fish were fed thrice daily for 8 weeks and water changed daily, to determine growth parameters of fish and physico-chemical parameters of water. Results obtained show that after the treatment period, Mean Weight gain and Specific Growth Rate was not significantly different (p>0.05). However, Specific Growth Rate and Percentage Survival rate differed significantly (p<0.05), highest (7.9% and 100%) in T3 respectively. Water quality parameters such as pH, Dissolve Oxygen and Temperature were within the recommended range and not significantly affected. Both plant species feed inclusions were utilized by fish, which was observed to facilitate the growth and survival of the fish species, with high percentage survival. In conclusion, T3 inclusion levels showed better growth performance.