Abstract
This study examined the physiological responses (hematology and enzyme characteristics) of Clarias gariepinus juveniles (mean weight 29.69 ±0.91g) fed diets with varying levels of fermented cassava (Manihot esculenta) peel and Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (CPLM), for a period of 10 weeks in the laboratory. Seven iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated containing 0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70% CPLM maize replacements tagged diets D0; D20; D30; D40; D50; D60 and D70 respectively. The results showed that the final weight gain, DWG, PWG, FCR and PER of the fish fed diets diet D0, D20, D30, D40, D50 were not significantly different (P>0.05) from one another, but were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the fish fed diets D60. The SGR and survival were not significantly different (P>0.05) from one another. The white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocytes ranged between 7.35-8.14 ×103 mm -3 and 63.00-72.00% respectively. There was increase in the WBC and lymphocytes as the CPLM increased in the diet. The results obtained for MCH and MCV showed that the fishes fed diet containing 50% fermented cassava peel meal had the highest values of 47.00 pg and 160.00 fl for MCH and MCV respectively and the least values of 25.56 pg- 88.89 fl were recorded for MCH and MCV in fish fed diets D60 to D70. Considering these effects, it is recommended that cassava peel- Leucaena leaf meal replacement beyond 50% should be discouraged, as replacement beyond this optimum value have indicated poor growth and physiological performances. Fish farmers especially in resource poor regions of the world can take advantage of this ingredient as a replacement for more expensive maize when formulating feed for fish in aquaculture.
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