GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS BROOD STOCK FED TUMERIC ENRICHED PELLETS

ABSTRACT This study assessed the growth performance and proximate composition of Clarias gariepinus fed tumeric enriched pellets. A total of 60 fish were used for this research and were divided into four groups with 16 fish in each group; group 1 (turmeric free diet), group 2 (3 % turmeric supplement), group 3 (5 % turmeric supplement) and group 4 (7 % turmeric supplement). Fish growth performance and proximate composition were analyzed, organoleptic comparison between the groups were assessed having been judged by 15 panelists grading from excellent to very bad. The results of the organoleptic assessment revealed that smoked Clarias gariepinus with 5% T2 inclusion is acceptable by the panelists. Also, the result showed that dietary supplementation with turmeric, especially 5% T2 improved the growth performance, nutrient utilization and health of Clarias gariepinus to their growth-promoting and immunostimulation properties and finally, the proximate analysis depicted that all the composition were present in the turmeric fed groups. Hence, for better growth performance, nutrient utilization, fish survival, proximate composition and organoleptic assessment, it is inferred that 5% T2 turmeric could be used as a supplement in the diet of fish.