The use of tadpole meal as a substitute for fish meal in diets of clarias gariepinus fingerlings

Abstract

Two hundred and forty Bufo maculate tadpoles of weight ranging from 0.038-0.045g (mean weight 0.04±0.008)g and lengths from  1.2-1.6 cm (mean 1.4± 0.018 cm) were randomly selected from breeding tanks (2.0H 2.0H1.0 m) and raised in utilization outdoor concrete tanks (1.0H1.0H0.75 m) for 84 days at the front of faculty of science complex, University of Abuja, Nigeria and their growth, productivity and nutrient were monitored. Tadpoles were harvested, processed and used in compounding five experimental diets of 42.5% crude protein to replace fish meal at different inclusion levels of 0% (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100% and fed to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. The mean weight gain for cultured tadpoles was 3.16 g/tadpole; specific growth rate 2.21% and feed conversion ratio, 1.04. The result of the feeding experiment showed that WG, RGW, SGR, FCR and feed intake favored fingerlings fed 50 and 25% whole tadpole meal including diets with insignificant difference p< 0.05 compared to other treatments. Highest significant difference p< 0.05 for crude protein digestibility of 90.88% was for 25% whole tadpole meal. Better cost benefit ratio was reported in 25 and 50% whole tadpole meal diets. Based on this result, the replacement of tadpole meal is recommended for 25 and 50% inclusion levels in the diet of Clarias gariepinus for better growth performance, feed utilization, health status and cost benefits.