Authors : B.A. Adebowale and O. Olubamiwa
Abstract: Optimum dietary inclusion of Cocoa Husk Endocarp (CHE) in the diet of Clarias gariepinus was investigated. Three replicate groups of juvenile Clarias gariepinus were fed 5 isonitrogenous diets. The diets: A, B, C, D and E, respectively contained cocoa husk endocarp at 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25% maize replacement. The fishes were fed at 5% body weight for the trial period of 12 weeks. Water quality parameters were monitored throughout the experiment. The result showed that feed conversion ratio, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and carcass fat values were better (p<0.05) on Diets A (Control) and D. All the parameters assessed were lower (p<0.05) on diet E relative to the control and other CHE diets. Increasing replacement of maize with CHE had positive correlation on mean weight gain until diet D (20%). Feed acceptability increases across the table except for diet D which increases at a deceasing rate. Increase in feed consumption of diet A above D might be due to bitter taste of Cocoa husk endocarp and could be responsible for the higher daily and percentage weight gain in A with respect to D. The result indicated that dietary replacement of maize with CHE up to 20% level can favourably support the growth performance of C. gariepinus.
B.A. Adebowale and O. Olubamiwa , 2008. Growth Response of Clarias gariepinus juvenile to Cocoa Husk Endocarp Based Diets. Agricultural Journal, 3: 425-428.