Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilisation of Clarias gariepinus fed Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Based-Diet
Abstract
Dietary supplementation with herbal extract and plant-based additives in aquaculture has been noted for various beneficial roles; to increase fish production through the improvement of immunity and other physiological dysfunctions related to fish health. A 56 days feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and nutrient utilization of Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed turmeric (Curcuma longa) based diet. Ten fish were stocked in twelve tanks each subjected to four treatments with three replicates. Four experimental treatments were formulated with varying Curcuma longa concentration included at 0% (Control), 1%, 3% and 5% with the treatments designated as D1 (Control), D2, D3 and D4 respectively. The growth performances, nutrients utilisation as well as the effects of the diets on the water quality were determined. Fish fed D4 with an inclusion level of 5% C. longa gave the least growth performance in terms of mean weight gain (MWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake, and protein efficiency ratio (PER). Fish fed D2 with an inclusion level of 1% of C. longa had the best food conversion ratio (FCR) and followed by the fish fed D3 which had 3% inclusion of C. longa. The FCR of the fish fed D2 and D3 were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the fish fed other diets. Based on this study, it was concluded that the inclusion of turmeric in the diet of Clarias gariepinus should be minimized specifically within the range of 1% to 3% to enhance growth performance and improve nutrient utilization of the fish.
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Introduction
Aquaculture is the practice of cultivating aquatic plants and animals, such as fish, shellfish and algae in controlled environments like ponds, tanks and cages. It has become an essential component of global food production by addressing the increasing demand for protein as the global population grows. Traditional fisheries have faced challenges like overfishing, environmental degradation, and fluctuating wild fish stocks, making sustainable seafood sources critical (FAO, 2020). Aquaculture stepped in to fill this gap by providing a controlled environment for raising seafood, ensuring a more predictable and consistent supply. It is the fastest growing food sector over the past 20 years with an average annual growth rate of 37% (Tacon, 2009), which has however decreased 3.5% for the period 2016-2021 (Mair et al., 2023) with recent projections indicating lower growth rate of 1.6% for the period 2022-2032 (FAO, 2024).
In Nigeria, consumption and demand for fish protein is increasing due to its affordability (Eyo and Ekanem, 2011). C. gariepinus is widely cultured in Nigeria under intensive management (Adewolu et al., 2009; Chika and Nathaniel, 2014). It is regarded as one of the most important aquaculture candidate because of its ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, high stocking densities under culture conditions, fast growth rate, high yield and high market value (Babalola and Apata, 2006). Increased production of fry and fingerlings with attributes of faster growth rate and higher environmental tolerance is essential to ensuring fish food security in Nigeria. C. gariepinus, (family Claridae), is a key species in Nigerian aquaculture due to its high nutritional value and ease of farming. It is a rich source of high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, and micronutrients like iron and zinc, making it beneficial for addressing malnutrition in the country (Adewumi and Olaleye, 2011). According to Clay (2009), C. gariepinus is generally considered to be one of the most important tropical catfish species for aquaculture in West Africa.
Proper Nutrition is fundamental to the success of aquaculture operations. This involves the provision of balanced diet to meet the specific nutritional requirements of the cultured species to support growth, health and well-being (NRC, 2011). Proper growth of fish depends largely on good nutrition and this is more pronounced with fish in enclosure as they require adequate nutrition (Omoruwou and Edema, 2011). The primary components of fish diets include protein, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals which are very vital for the building block of the animal's body and growth development. According to Tacon and Metican (2015), feeding is the act of providing food to living organisms which is critical for optimal growth performance, health of cultured fish and feed efficiency. Feed is the most expensive input in a profitable fish production. It accounts for about 70-80% of the total cost of fish production (El-Sayed, 2021; Kehinde et al., 2006). Fish culture requires high quality feeds containing necessary nutrients and complementary feed additives to keep fish healthy, grow fast and become more environmental friendly. Feed additives are substances added to the diet in trace amount to provide mechanism by which such dietary deficiencies can be addressed which benefits not only the nutrition and thus the growth rate of the animal concerned, but also its health and welfare in modern day fish farming.
Conclusion
The finding of this study indicates that turmeric (Curcuma longa) possesses potential as a functional feed additive for C. gariepinus. However, its inclusion in fish diets must be carefully regulated to prevent adverse effects on growth and nutrient utilization.
The results demonstrated that high levels of turmeric inclusion, specifically at 5% significantly reduced feed intake, growth performance and nutrient utilization. On the other hand, a moderate turmeric inclusion level of 1-3% showed better results compared to higher levels. The study strongly suggests that turmeric, when used as a dietary additive, should be included in minimal amounts to avoid negative effects on overall fish development. The reduced growth at higher turmeric levels may be attributed to anti-nutritional effects, reduced palatability, or interference with nutrient absorption at elevated concentrations.
References
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