Growth Performance and Survivorship of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fingerlings Fed Varying Dietary Protein Levels in Benue State

This study evaluates the growth performance and survivorship of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed diets containing varying levels of crude protein under controlled aquaculture conditions in Benue State, located in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone. Optimising dietary protein levels in catfish feeds is economically critical for small-scale aquaculture farmers, as protein is the most expensive feed component and poor formulation directly reduces profitability. A completely randomised design experiment was conducted with five dietary protein treatments of 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 percent crude protein, each with three replicates of 20 fingerlings in 100-litre tanks over eight weeks. Specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, condition factor, and survivorship were determined. Water quality parameters were maintained within optimal ranges. Results showed that specific growth rate and weight gain increased significantly from the 25 to 40 percent protein level but showed no significant further improvement at 45 percent. The 40 percent protein diet produced the best feed conversion ratio (1.41) and protein efficiency ratio (2.78). Survivorship did not differ significantly across treatments, ranging from 91 to 97 percent. The study recommends 40 percent crude protein as the optimal dietary level for Clarias gariepinus fingerling production under tank conditions in the North Central zone, offering the best balance between growth performance and feed cost efficiency. Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, dietary protein, growth performance, aquaculture, Benue State.