The effects of Spirulina platensis and Cladophora Algae on the Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Immunity Stimulating Capacity of the African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

The effects of Spirulina platensis and Cladophora diets on growth performance, meat quality and immunity stimulating capacity in African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were studied. S. platensis and Cladophora sp. were used as supplementary feeds. Four experimental diets were set up including 0% algae + basal diets (Basal diets; BD), 3% Spirulina + basal diets (3% SD), 5% Spirulina + basal diets (5% SD) and 5% Cladophora + basal diets (5% CD) respectively. The initial size of the catfish was 30.63 +/- 0.96 - 32.47 +/- 1.75 g. They were stocked in 30 m(2) earthen ponds at a density of 30 fish/m(2). The African Sharptooth Catfish were raised for 60 days. The weight gain, specific growth rate and average daily growth of Catfish fed 5% CD, 5% SD and BD were significantly higher than those fed with 3% SD (p<0.05). The carotenoid content in catfish fed 5% CD (2.37 +/- 0.15 mu g/g) were significantly higher than those fed with 5% SD, 3% SD and BD (p<0.05) respectively. Fish fed with 5% SD had significantly (p<0.05) higher immunity (1.70 +/- 0.10 units/mL) than those fed with 3% SD, 5% CD and BD (p<0.05), respectively. It can be concluded that the 5% CD feed could be used as catfish feed in order to enhance the carotenoid levels in the catfish, while the 5% SD feed is more suitable for increasing the immunity of the catfish. (C) 2011 Friends Science Publishers