The effects of Spirulina platensis and Cladophora algae on the growth performance, meat quality and immunity stimulating capacity of the African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Abstract

The effects of Spirulina platensis and Cladophora diets on growth performance, meat quality and immunity stimulating capacity in African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were studied. S. platensis and Cladophora sp. were used as supplementary feeds. Four experimental diets were set up including 0% algae + basal diets (Basal diets; BD), 3% Spirulina + basal diets (3% SD), 5% Spirulina + basal diets (5% SD) and 5% Cladophora + basal diets (5% CD) respectively. The initial size of the catfish was 30.63 plus minus 0.96 - 32.47 plus minus 1.75 g. They were stocked in 30 m2 earthen ponds at a density of 30 fish/m2. The African Sharptooth Catfish were raised for 60 days. The weight gain, specific growth rate and average daily growth of Catfish fed 5% CD, 5% SD and BD were significantly higher than those fed with 3% SD (p less than 0.05).