Dietary Inclusion of Citrullus lanatus Seed in Fish Feed: Proximate Analysis, Growth Performance and Feed Utilization in Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings

One of the factors militating against fish farming in Nigeria have been lack of adequate feed that are formulated to meet the nutrient requirement of culturable fish species. To this end, the study on dietary inclusion of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) seed in fish feed: the proximate analysis, determination of growth performance and feed utilization in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings was carried out between August and October 2019. The proximate analysis and economic viability were determined according to standard methods. The experimental diet was set up across varying proportions: 0% as the control, 15%, 20%, 25% and 36% inclusion levels respectively. The result of the proximate analysis for the experimental diets showed that diet 3 (20.00% inclusion) had the highest crude protein content; lipid level was highest in diet 4 (25% inclusion); while diet 1 (control) had the highest dry matter, ash and nitrogen free extract contents. The result of the experiment showed that 36% watermelon seed inclusion yielded the highest growth performance and feed utilization in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in relation to inclusion percentages of watermelon seed on growth performance in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. In conclusion, relatively high proportion of watermelon seed inclusion in fish feed formulation is hereby recommended in order to improve growth performance and feed utilization in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings.