Assessment of growth and nutrient utilization in <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> x <i>Heterobranchus bidorsalis</i> hybrid (Heteroclarias) fingerlings- fed <i>Leuceana leucocephala</i>(Lam. de Wit) seed meal

There is a high demand for the plant protein source, soybean, for direct human consumption and industrial uses. A feeding trial was carried out to assess the growth and nutrient utilization of Clarias gariepinus x Heterobranchus bidorsalis hybrid (heteroclarias) fingerlings fed toasted Leuceana leucoceplala (Leuceana) seed meal in replacement for soybean meal. One hundred and five Heteroclarias fingerlings of average weight 3 ± 0.14g were fed five isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) diets in which toasted Leucaena seed meal replaced soybean meal at 0% (g.100g-1), 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% respectively as diets I – V for 8 weeks. Proximate analysis of the diets was done before the experiment. Cleaning of experimental units was carried out by siphoning solid waste in each unit and water reduced by half and replaced before feeding. Fishes were fed in triplicates twice daily to satiation. Data obtained were subjected to ANOVA and means were deemed significant at 5% probability level. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in mean weight gain (MWG), daily weight gain (DWG), and specific growth rate (SGR), as well as nutrient utilization indices – feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) between the control diet and 20% inclusion. A further increase in Leuceana inclusion resulted in a progressive decline in growth and nutrient utilization and were significantly different from the control and 20% inclusion. Findings from this study suggest that soybean meal could be substituted with 20% Leuceana seed meal in the diet for heteroclarias fingerlings.