Effect of Garcinia kola seed meal on egg quality of the African Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) (Burchell) Broodstock

A 56-day study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of G. kola (Bitter kola) powder on egg quality in African catfish, C. gariepinus broodstocks. Catfish broodstocks (mean weight, 911.25 ± 1.77 g) were randomly distributed into concrete tanks (2 x 2 x 1.2 m) at ten fish/tank in triplicates. Five diets designated as diets D1 to D5 with 40% crude protein containing 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg of G. kola seeds powder in the feed were formulated and added to the tanks to give 3% of body weight per day. Fecundity, Percentage fertilization, hatching rate and egg size (diameter) of C. gariepinus were investigated. The fish fed diet D5 (200 g/kg) had higher oocyte diameter but not significantly different (p>0.05) from those of the fish fed the other diets. However, the egg diameter was largest in the group of fish fed diet diet supplemented with 200 g/kg G. kola seed powder (D5) and this has negative effect on the fertilization of the eggs. Significantly higher (p<0.05) egg fertilization and hatching was recorded in the fish fed diets D4 (150 g/kg) than for the fish fed the other diets. The results showed that as the level of inclusion of G. kola seed powder was increased, the percentage of eggs fertilized increased, except when the fish were fed diet D5 where a sharp decrease was recorded. Survival of fish after the 56 days experimental trial range   from 88% to 100% and was not related to the G. kola seed powder inclusion in the diet. The result of this study shows that G. kola seed meal affects the fecundity, hatching rate and percentage survival of C. gariepinus and has a potential  pro-fertility property which can be exploited in fish seeds production.