EFFECTS OF FISH MEAL REPLACEMENT BY MAGGOT MEAL IN DIETS OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS FINGERLING (BURCHELL, 1822)

The effects of fish meal replacement by maggot meal in diets of Clarias gariepinus fingerling fed different levels of maggot meal were investigated. Four (4) experimental diets were formulated to contain 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% of maggot meal and were designated as T1 (0% inclusion), T2 (25% inclusion), T3 (50% inclusion) and T4 (75% inclusion) in a completely randomized design. Twelve (12) net hapa 1m×1m×1.2m were suspended in a polythene collapsible pond with the aid of Kuralon twine tied to iron pegs. The polythene collapsible pond was filled to the brim with borehole water. Each treatment had three replicates, with 10 fish accommodated in each hapa (mean initial body weight (10.86±0.03 g) per fish. Water temperature and other water quality parameters were monitored for 120 days. The results for growth and feed utilization revealed that the best experimental diet was the 75% inclusion level, as it gave the best weight gain (170.53g), specific growth rate (1.02%days), feed conversion ratio (1.48) and protein efficiency ratio (194.60), compared with the other diets. Cost-benefit analysis showed that fish fed 75% maggot meal has the best economic return, net profit (1377₦) and profit index (4.17) compared to other treatments. This result indicated that a 75% maggot meal diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings as a replacement for fish meal improves the nutritive value for fish, hence can serve as an alternative ingredient and replacement for fish meal in fish feed production.