EVALUATION OF GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF Clarias gariepinus POST FINGERLINGS FED Leucaena leucocephala LEAF MEAL AS REPLACEMENT FOR FISHMEAL

Fish meal (FM) which is the main source of animal protein in fish feed has continued to challenge the aquaculture industry due to its rising high cost. Therefore, this study evaluated the potentials of replacement of fishmeal with Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal at varying inclusion levels on the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus post fingerlings. The experiment was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Five (5) experimental diets were formulated comprising of the control diet (T0) which contained 100% fish meal (FM), (four (4) Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (LLlM) experimental diets (T1: 25%; T2: 50%; T3:75%; T4:100%) The feeding trial was conducted across 15 experimental plastic tanks with a 100L water carrying capacity for each tank. Each treatment had three replicates, and the fishes were fed twice a day for 16 weeks (112 days) under controlled conditions. Growth performance indices, including mean weight gain (WG), mean length gain, specific growth rate (SGR), were assessed. Water parameters like pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were measured. The mean values recorded were pH: 7.42-7.72, Temperature: 27.1-27.6 (°C), and dissolved oxygen: 6.11-6.52 mg/L, all of which were within acceptable limits for the growth of Clarias gariepinus post fingerlings. Fish fed the control diet (T0) recorded initial mean weight gain of (176.5±4.3g) and highest final mean weight gain of (678.9 ± 19.2 g) and specific growth rate (1.46 ± 0.05 % day⁻¹). At 25% inclusion(T1), Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (LLLM) recorded an initial mean weight gain of (174.3 ±3.9g) and Final mean weight gain (466.1± 15.8g) and SGR of (1.07 ± 0.04 % day⁻¹). However, at 100% inclusion (T4), Final mean weight gain declined to (365.3 ± 12.1g) and SGR values of (0.87 ± 0.02 % day⁻¹) for LLLM test diet. The were significant difference among the means (p<0.05). Also, for the length gain, Fish fed the control diet (T0) recorded initial mean length gain (4.74±0.12cm) and highest final mean length (18.2 ±0.35cm), compared with 25% inclusion (T1) Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (LLLM) with an initial mean length of (4.58 ±0.10cm) and final length weight gain (16.41± 0.28cm). However, at T4, 100% LLCM test diets declined to (14.12 ± 0.21 cm) as inclusion level increased..There were significant differences among the means (p<0.05). In conclusion, T1, 25% inclusion level ofLeucaena leucocephala demonstrated superior growth performance compared to other varying levels of 50%, 75% and 100%. Leucaena leucocephala proved to be sustainable alternative protein source for African catfish diets, however is should be restricted to low inclusion levels.