EFFECTS OF DIETARY INCLUSION OF PINKROOT (Spegelia anthelmiah) ROOT MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND CARCASS COMPOSITION OF HETEROCLARIAS JUVENILES

This study evaluated the effects of dietary Spigelia anthelmia root meal on the growth performance, nutrient utilisation, haematological parameters, and carcass composition of Heteroclarias juveniles during a 56-day feeding trial. A total of 225 juveniles (initial mean weight: 12.3 ± 0.10 g) were randomly distributed into 15 glass tanks at a stocking density of 15 fish per tank, with three replicates per treatment. Five experimental diets containing 0.0, 0.25, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 g/100 g S. anthelmia root meal were formulated and fed to the fish. Dietary supplementation significantly affected (P < 0.05) growth performance of Heteroclarias juveniles. Fish receiving 0.75 g/100 g S. anthelmia root meal achieved the highest weight gain compared with the control and other treatments. Growth performance declined at higher inclusion levels, suggesting that excessive supplementation may likely reduced nutrient utilisation, possibly due to antinutritional factors. Haematological parameters were also significantly influenced (P < 0.05). Fish receiving 0.25 g/100 g root meal recorded the highest packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell count, whereas white blood cell count was highest at 1.25 g/100 g, suggesting an enhanced physiological or immune response to higher dietary inclusion levels. Whole-body composition was improved by dietary supplementation, with crude protein increasing to 66.0% at 1.0 g/100 g inclusion, accompanied by reductions in lipid, moisture, and nitrogen-free extract contents. Survival remained high (83.3–100%) across all treatments. The results demonstrate that dietary inclusion of S. anthelmia root meal at 0.75 g/100 g diet optimises growth performance, feed utilisation, physiological health, and carcass quality in Heteroclarias juveniles, highlighting its potential as a functional phytogenic feed additive for sustainable aquaculture