GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND BLOOD PARAMETERS OF CLARIS GARIPENUS FED GRADED LEVEL OF MELON SHELL AS A REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Fish is the primary source of protein for about 950 million people worldwide and represents an important part of the diet of many people, provide about 10% of the animal protein consumed by humans and is a valuable source of minerals and essential fatty acids (Food and Agriculture Organization, 1997). The production of fish for direct human consumption doubled between 1950 and 1970 and has stabilized since then at an average of 9.0kg to 10kg of fish per capita (FAO, 2003). The implication is that Fish consumption per person is on the increase and supply will probably be limited by factors like high cost of feed materials (Obi, Kolo and Oriere 2011). Currently there is a global increase in consumption of food fish will take place largely in the developing countries, where population is growing and higher incomes are allowing purchase of high value fisheries products. However, fish production in the developing nations where fish protein is needed to prevent malnutrition is a key element for food security. A critical area where innovative programmes are needed to increase production is in feed production (FAO, 1997).

Production of fish in homestead fish ponds have been adopted by families as a means of improving family protein intake and income (Eyo, 1995). Yet availability of high quality fish feed is one of the greatest problems that is affecting the expansion of the small scale fish industry in Nigeria. Local production of high quality fish feed using local ingredients has to be encouraged especially extruded (floating) feed to replace the present dependence on imported ones. Floating feed is very suitable for pelagic or surface feeders in the sense that the fish quickly access the feed and do not expend much energy in going to the bottom to source for food (Orire and Ricketts., 2013).

The actual machine for producing floating feed known as extruders (insta PRO 2000) is very expensive and cannot be afforded by our local farmers. Nigeria therefore is a permanent buyer of expanded floating feed at high cost from United State of America and other Western and Asian countries (Falaye, 2009). The Nigerian economic policy should not support such outrageous wastage of our scarce foreign exchange. It is therefore imperative that emphasis should be geared towards the technology of developing floating fish feeds using local non-conventional feed ingredients which are cheap, affordable and do not compromise the quality of compounded diets.

Floating feed is a management tool that farmers can use to observe how much and how actively the fish feed. Physically seeing the fish is almost a necessity before the ponds are harvested and restocked periodically without draining and the farmer have precise knowledge about the mass of fish in the pond ( Falayi, Balogun, Adeboye., 2004).

Mellon (Collocynthis citrulus L.) is a widely cultivated and consumed oil seed crop in West Africa. Melon is a cucurbit crop that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family with fibrous and shallow root system. It is a tendril climber or crawling annual crop mostly grown as a subsidiary crop intercropped with early maize and yam in the savannah belt of Nigeria. (Abiodun and Adeleke, 2010). They are consumed in “egusi soup”, melon ball snacks and ogiri (fermented condiment) (Odunfa, 1981). Eugene and Gloria, (2002) in their study concluded that melon seed contains 50% and 30% oil and protein, respectively. Melon seed contains a fairly high amount of unsaturated fatty acid, and linoleic acid suggesting a possible hypocholesterolic effect of lowering blood cholesterol ( Obi, Kolo and Orire., 2011). The oil extracted from the seed is for edible purpose (Ajibola et al.1990).

The shell of melon is usually considered an agricultural waste. The shell is light brown in colour and light in weight like flakes hence usually floats when scattered in water. Obi, Kolo and Oriere (2011) have reported that melon shell contains crude protain value of as high as 13.83%. However, large quantities of the melon shell are discarded and burnt, which pollute the environment yet the fish industry is threatened with acute shortage of conventional feed ingredients leading to low productivity. It may be possible to utilize melon shell as non-conventional source of fish feed ingredient for aquaculture. However, there is little or no Information on the nutritional composition of melon shell and its potential as a feed ingredient for Clarias gariepinus.

1.2 Statement of Problems

Investigation reveals the following problems of existing growth performance and blood parameters of clarias garipenus fed graded level of melon shell as a replacement for maize research work;

1. Lack of information relating to the potential of melon shell as feed ingredient to aid floatation.
2. Improper optimum replacement level of maize with melon shell as energy source that will give the best growth, and survival, in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings
3. Lack of nutrient utilization in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings.
4. Lack of proper investigation of the heamatological profile of Clarias garipenus fed the experimental diets.
5. Lack of information relating to the experimental diets of Clarias garipenus.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to compound a feed that float using melon shell as floating device. In achieving this aim, the following objectives of study were considered;

1. Potential of melon shell as feed ingredient to aid floatation.
2. Optimum replacement level of maize with melon shell as energy source that will give the best growth, and survival, in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings
3. Nutrient utilization in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings.
4. Heamatological profile of Clarias garipenus fed the experimental diets.
5. Carcass quality of Clarias garipenus fed the experimental diets.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be raised in this study:

• Does the melon shell affect the growth performance of Clarias Garipenus fed grade level?
• Does the melon shell affect the blood parameters of Clarias Garipenus fed grade level?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following research hypotheses will be formulated and tested in this study:

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant difference between growth performance and blood parameters of Clarias Garipenus fed grade level
• HA: There is significant difference between growth performance and blood parameters of Clarias Garipenus fed grade level

1.6 Significance / Justification of the Study

Feed is a critical factor in fish production because it accounts for 50-60% of the total cost of production (Ogunlade 2007). Feed used by fish farmers to ensure good yield are the extruded feed which are capable of floating in water. These feed are expensive and can't be afforded by all fish farmers. To reduce cost of production, farmers therefore resort to formulating their own feed. These feed produced locally do not float. Their use, result in water pollution which compromise productivity. This study therefore is being conducted to compound feed that can float, and determine its acceptability to fish using melon shell (unconventional feed ingredient) which is cheap, thereby reducing cost of production and ensure sustainable production at a high level.

1.7 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the growth performance and blood parameters of clarias garipenus fed graded level of melon shell in Alliero community, Kebbi State, Nigeria.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Growth: Growth is the process of increasing in size.

Performance: Performance is the action or process of performing a task or function.

Blood: Blood is a combination of plasma and cells that circulate through the entire body. It is a specialized bodily fluid that supplies essential substances around the body, such as sugars, oxygen, and hormones. It also removes waste from the cells in the body.

Parameters: Parameters are numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.

Blood Parameters: It including red and white blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentration are widely used clinical indicators of health and disease.

Grade Level: It means that he has mastered the skills that he needs to read and understand words and sentences in books at the expected level of difficulty.

Melon: Melon is the large round fruit of a plant of the gourd family, with sweet pulpy flesh and many seeds.

Melon Shell: This is the shell of melon is usually considered an agricultural waste.

Maize: Maize is an annual grass in the family Gramineae, which includes such plants as wheat, rye, barley, rice, sorghum, and sugarcane.

Replacement: It means the process of replacing an individual or an entity.