EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT INCLUSION LEVELS OF OYSTER MUSHROOM (PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS) MEAL ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS FINGERLINGS

This study evaluated the use of graded levels of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) fruiting body meal on the growth, survival of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. A diet of approximately 40% crude protein at different levels of inclusion (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% otherwise marked as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively) was prepared and the fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight for 84 days. Findings unveil that T5 demonstrated superior growth performance and survival rates, with final mean weight of 29.46±5.38g, final mean length of 19.10±1.24cm, mean weight gain of 25.60±4.86g, length increase of 12.15±0.42cm, weight gain of 985.96±208.74%, specific growth rate of 1.21±0.10 %d-1, and condition factor of 0.50±0.07. Conversely, T1 showed inferior outcome when compared to other treatments. Survival rate was highest in T5 (76.66±14.52%) and lowest in T1 (66.66±12.01%). However, pH and dissolved oxygen attained a decreasing trend with increasing treatment concentrations, with T5 (4%) exhibiting the lowest pH value (6.11±0.06) while T1 with the highest value 6.30±0.06. T4 and T5 respectively had the lowest levels of dissolved oxygen (6.18±0.14 mg/l and 6, 01±0.14 mg/l, but these differences were not significant (P˃0.05). From this research, it was observed that incorporation of mushroom meal in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings had better effects on their growth, survival, and overall health. The mushroom has been indicated to be a potential source to beef up protein content as an additive in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerling. Treatment 5, with the highest level of mushroom inclusion, demonstrated the best growth performance and survival rates compared to other treatments.