ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to examine the growth rate of Clarias gariepinus (Fingerlings) fed blood meal as a diet with graded level of methionine. 180 Clarias gariepinus (fingerlings) were reared in 70 litres plastic spectacles in 3 replicate for 120 days to compare the effect of different inclusion level of methionine to blood meal as a diet. 1.3, 2.0, 2.7, and 3.4 g, methionine inclusion level were used for treatment one to four (T, - T4) respectively, while treatment (T,) which is the control had no methionine inclusion. These test treatments were assigned in 3 replicates in a completely randomized designed (CRD) to groups of IO Clarias sariepious (fingerings) in the ptaste 'Kg)s e nshnes were fed at s% body weight twice a day for the 120 days. Partial change of water was observed daily while total change of water was observed weekly. Sampling was observed biweekly to determine the growth performance of the fish. Results for the experiment showed significant difference (p<0.05) in the final mean body weight, mean body length and specific growth rate with the highest in treatment 4. The fish in treatment 4 also consumed more feed (p < 0.05) attaining better (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio values than in treatment l, 2 and 3 respectively. The physiochemical parameters of the experimental water showed 4.0- 5.7 mil, 6.5- 7.0 and 25 ·C- 26 °C for dissolve oxygen, pH and temperature respectively. The study showed that 3.4 g inclusion level of methionine to blood meal as a diet for Clarias gariepinus (fingerlings) is ideal and the most effective for the growth performance