Evaluation of Cassava Peel-Based Feed Formulation on the Growth of African Catfish Juveniles in Imo State

The high cost of conventional aquafeeds has stimulated interest in locally available agro-industrial by-products as alternative feed ingredients for catfish production in South East Nigeria. This study evaluates the effect of incorporating cassava peel meal at levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% into African catfish juvenile diets on growth performance, feed utilisation, and haematological indices. The experiment was conducted over ten weeks at a farm in Owerri, Imo State, using 200 juveniles with an initial mean weight of 9.7 g, distributed across 12 fibreglass tanks. Diets were formulated to contain 40% crude protein with cassava peel meal replacing maize at the specified inclusion levels. Fish were fed twice daily to apparent satiation, and water quality was maintained within acceptable limits throughout the trial. Results showed that specific growth rate and weight gain decreased significantly at 30% inclusion, while the 10% inclusion level produced growth performance comparable to the control group. Feed conversion ratio was significantly poorer at 30% cassava peel inclusion. Haematological parameters, including packed cell volume, haemoglobin, and white blood cell counts, remained within normal reference ranges for Clarias gariepinus at 10% and 20% inclusion. The study concludes that cassava peel meal can be incorporated at up to 20% in catfish juvenile diets without significant adverse effects, offering a cost-effective and locally available feed ingredient option for smallholder fish farmers in Imo State.

Keywords: cassava peel meal, African catfish, growth performance, feed formulation, Imo State