Studies on growth performance of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell , 1822) fed groundnut cake meal as soybean meal replacement was carried out for 120 days (4 months) May 2018 and August 2018. The diets were formulated at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% at 40% crude protein . Groundnut cake meal was represented as X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6 respectively. The i nitial weight of C. gariepinus differ significantly (p>0.05) in the treatments, which indicated difference in sizes. Diets T5 (20%) gave the highest final weight and body weight gain compared other treatments and differ significantly (p>0.05). There was decreased in final weight gain and body weight gain as the level of groundnut cake meal increased. The specific growth rate of diet T5 can be compared with T1, which also differ significantly (p>0.05) with other treatments. Feed conversion ratio was highest in T3, which differ significantly (p>0.05) with other treatments. Feed intake was highest in T5 although did not differ significantly (p<0.05) with T1. Protein efficiency ratio was highest in T6 than T1, which differ significantly (p>0.05). The highest survival rate of fish in tank T5 and T6 compared with T1. Water quality parameters measured, which included temperature (oC ), pH and dissolved oxygen (mg/l) showed variations but did not differ significantly (p<0.05) and fall within the acceptable limits for fish survival and sustenance. It is recommended that 20% inclusion of groundnut cake meal should be used, further research should be done on replacement of soybean meal with other ingredients, there should be low inclusion of groundnut cake in the diet of the fish and there need to be carry out similar study on Tilapia, Heterobranchus spp. and other culturable fish species.
Keywords:- Growth performance , Clarias gariepinus, Groundnut , fish species
* Correspondence Author