*Sule, O.D.¹ and Adikwu² I.A.
                                                      1.    Department of Fisheries Faculty of Agriculture,
                                                       University of Maiduguri P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
                                                      2.    Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Optimal dietary protein requirements of triploid Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (15.0g mean weight) were investigated. Seven experimental diets coded AF (Artificial feed) for AF-1 to AF-7containing 20-50% crude protein was fed to the fingerlings. A total of one hundred fingerlings were stocked in triplicates in 15 flow-through tanks each and fed for 8 weeks.  Protein efficiency ratio decreased with increasing dietary protein level up to 40%. Carcass fat and protein content were negatively correlated while ash content increased initially, and later fell. Weight gain, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio showed that 40% protein diet produced maximum growth in triploid C. gariepinus fingerlings with minimum cost of feed ingredients.

Keywords: Dietary Protein, Triploid, C. gariepinus fingerlings.