Abstract:

A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of the Pelargonium sidoides extract on African catfish, Clarias gariepinus growth performance, feed efficiency and body composition. The catfish (mean body weight 1.09±0.32 g) were fed with experimental diets prepared by using supplementation of P. sidoides extract  (0, 5 and 10 ml 100 g-1) for 90 days. Growth rate significantly increased in catfish fed with P. sidoides extract-supplemented diets in comparison with the control groups (P<0.05). Specific growth rate (SGR) ranged from 2.29 ± 0.05 (control) to 2.54 ± 0.21 (5 ml P. sidoides extract 100 g-1 diet). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were also significantly improved in group fed diet with 10 ml 100 g-1P. sidoides extract than that with control groups (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that P. sidoides extract may be used as a potential growth promoter in catfish culture.

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