Effects of methionine supplemented groundnut cake on the Growth Performance and Haematology of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate effects of graded levels of methionine supplementation of groundnut cake on the growth and haematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Clarias gariepinus fingerlings of 6 g were allocated to 6 treatments having different levels of methionine and fed 5% of their body weight twice daily for 56 days. Treatments were GFM (fish meal-based diet) GM0 (control, 0 kg methionine) while GM1, GM2, GM3 and GM4 contained 0.25 kg, 0.5 kg, 0.75 kg and 1 kg methionine for every 100 kg feed, respectively. Fishes fed GM0 (control diet) had significantly (P<0.05) higher mean weight gain (MWG) than fishes fed methionine supplemented diets. The SGR and PER also followed the same trend. The packed cell volume (PCV) values were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the fish fed diet GM1, GM3 and GM4 than those of fish fed GM0 diets. The Haemoglobin concentration followed the same pattern. The total white blood cell was significantly higher (P<0.05) in fishes fed methionine supplemented diets than fish fed GM0 (control diet). The results of the study showed that methionine supplemented diets might have been affected by leaching, hence, (control diet) G0 not supplemented with crystalline methionine performed better in terms of MWG. However, supplementation of the diets with methionine increased the immunity of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings as shown in the haematological parameters.