GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SERUM ENZYMES IN AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) FED MONODORA AND HORMONE (HUMAN GONADOTROPIN) MEAL DIETS

Aquaculture nutrition increasingly seeks plant-based ingredients that enhance growth while maintaining fish health and reducing hormones. This study investigated the growth performance and serum enzyme responses of African catfish (C. gariepinus) fed diets containing varying inclusion levels of Monodora myristica(African nutmeg) seed meals as a potential alternative to hormone-based growth promoters. A total of 180 fingerlings with uniform initial weights were randomly assigned to six treatments; control, hormone (HGH-5%), and four experimental diets (M1–M4) containing 1.25 %, 2.5 %, 5 %, and 10 % Monodora seed meal, respectively for 8-weeks feeding trial. Fish were fed at 2 % body weight twice daily. The growth indices and serum enzyme activities (Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) andAlkaline Phosphatase (ALP)) were analyzed using standard procedures. Results showed that fish fed the Monodora seed meal diet (2.5 % inclusion) achieved the highest total and mean final weights (1,738.76 g and 57.79 g), highest total weight gain (1,055.27 g). The specific and relative growth rates, with a feed conversion ratio of 3.01 and protein efficiency ratio of 1.36. Survival was also highest (100 %) in Monodora seed meal diet (2.5 % inclusion), while excessive inclusion (M4) caused significant growth depression, poor feed conversion, and elevated ALP levels, indicating possible hepatic stress. Serum analysis revealed the highest AST in Monodora seed meal diet (5 % inclusion) and highest ALT in the control diet, whereas Monodora seed meal diet (2.5 % inclusion) maintained enzyme activities within normal physiological ranges. The hormone-based diet improved growth relative to the control but did not match the performance of the optimal Monodora formulation.The study concludes that moderate dietary inclusion of Monodora myristica seed meal specifically around 2.5 %enhances growth, feed efficiency, and survival of C. gariepinuswhile supporting normal liver function. This finding highlights the potential of Monodora seed meal as a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to synthetic growth promoters and conventional fishmeal in African catfish aquaculture.