Effects of Moringa leaf meal (MLM) inclusion as premix on the haematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus

This study was conducted to determine the haematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus juveniles, fed diets with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) as premix for 8 weeks. Fish mean weight of 12.5±0.04g was used. The experimental diets were formulated at 40% crude protein into three treatments of the same composition, but different inclusion levels of moringa, before processing into pelleted sinking feed. The treatments based on % mLM were 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5. Both floating and pelleted sinking feeds were used. Each diet was fed to a group of thirty (30) juveniles of Clarias gariepinus per treatment at 5% body weight. Each treatment was replicated three times. The results showed that Treatment IV had the best haematological indices; and was not significantly different (P>0.05) from other treatments with respect to packed cell volume (PCV) 27.83±1.23; Haemoglobin (Hb): 8.73±0.81 and Red Blood Cell (RBC): 2.66±0.54. Treatment I equally had good haemotological Parameters: PCV (24.37±2.85); Hb (8.34±0.79); RBC (2.83±0.53), Platelet (123.45±7.81). Treatments II and III had higher levels of White Blood Cell (WBC) which ranged from 17.43±1.235 to 17.61±1.33. Haematological parameters were within the recommended range for fish health. This study revealed that moringa leaf meal (MLM) was best as replacement of premix; for improved performance for the tested parameters of Clariasgariepinus. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that 1.5%mLM inclusionrate as premix for enhancement of haematological parameters and better fish health of Clarias gariepinus. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES