GROWTH OF AFRICAN CATFISH, Clarias gariepinus (Teuglas) EXPOSED TO DIFFERENT DIETS OF VARYING HORMONE TYPES

Abstract

Replicates of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were fed for 8 weeks on diet either treated with toad pituitary extract (TPE), synthetic hormone (SH), Clarias gariepinus pituitary extract (CGPE) or none (Control). Growth rate and food utilization in the different groups were compared. Results revealed that the best growth, parentage weight gain, specific growth rate, and apparent net protein utilization were obtained with the CGPE diet. The best food conversation ratio and protein efficiency ratio were obtained with TPE diet. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in growth of all the treatments and within the weeks. The purchase of synthetic hormone just to accelerate growth rate and achieve greater increase in weight is ill-advised. The use of toad pituitary extract (TPE) is more economical than the use of C. gariepinus pituitary (CPE). It is also cheaper