Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of African Mud Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fingerlings fed Different Levels of Fermented Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) meal

The suitability of fermented pigeon pea meal as a protein ingredient in diets for Clarias gariepinus fingerlings was evaluated. A strain of Rhizopus oligoporus was used to ferment the meal for six days at 37 degrees C. Five isonitrogenous (30% crude protein) and isoenergetic (16.45 MJ/kg) diets were formulated in which fermented meal was used to replace soybean meal at five inclusion levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%). Diets were fed to triplicate groups of C. gariepinus fingerlings for 70 days. Crude protein content (22.6%-27.0%), total sugar, calcium, and phosphorus increased while lipids, carbohydrate, crude fiber, and antinutritional factors decreased in catfish fed increasing levels of pigeon pea meal. The group fed the 100% diet had significantly (p < 0.05) better growth, which declined as the inclusion level declined. The apparent digestibility coefficients protein and dry increased with the inclusion level. No histopathological changes were observed in the liver. The highest crude protein content in catfish tissues was obtained in the group that received the highest inclusion level. The study shows that fermented pigeon pea meal can replace soybean meal in practical feeds for C. gariepinus without compromising growth performance or nutrient utilization.