Length Weight Relationship of Heteroclarias Fingerlings Fed Different Replacement Levels of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal

This study examined the influence of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) as a partial replacement for soybean meal on the lengthweight relationship of hybrid African catfish (Heteroclarias) fingerlings. Four isonitrogenous diets containing 40% crude protein were formulated using locally sourced ingredients, with MOLM included at 0%, 15%, 30%, and 45% levels. Fresh M. oleifera leaves were harvested, shade-dried for three days, milled, and incorporated into the experimental diets. A total of nine fingerlings were randomly stocked per treatment in duplicate, using twelve 30-L plastic tanks. Fish were fed at 3% of their body weight twice daily (09:00 and 17:00 h) over an eight-week period. Bi-weekly measurements of length and weight were taken, and feed quantities adjusted accordingly. Results indicated that fingerlings in treatments 1, 2, and 4 exhibited negative allometric growth, with regression coefficient (b) values of 0.6143 ± 0.0860, 0.5315 ± 0.1435, and 2.1140 ± 0.1471, respectively. In contrast, treatment 3 (30% MOLM) demonstrated positive allometric growth (b = 3.0330 ± 0.3402). Overall, the regression slope values ranged between 0.6114 and 3.033. The findings suggest that dietary inclusion of M. oleifera leaf meal enhances growth performance and nutrient utilization in Heteroclarias fingerlings when compared with the control diet.