THE EFFICACY OF NATURAL GROWTH PROMOTER CARROT (DAUCUS CAROTA) ON THE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus, BURCHELL 1822) IN SAHEL-SAVANNA REGION, NIGERIA

One of the factors leading to poor production of fish in developing countries including Nigeria is inadequate of quality feed that can promote high productivity. Growth promoters of biological origin have been used but their serious effect on public health warranted their banned. Therefore, this study the efficacy of natural growth promoter carrot (Daucus carota) on the growth and survival of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) in Sahel-Savanna region, Nigeria focus on searching alternative growth promoters from natural occurring raw materials. One of such growth promoters that has not been given scientific attention is carrot. Carrot (Daucus carota) is grown in large quantity in Gashua of Yobe State and its environments. Large quantity was obtained and processed into powderform and was incorporated into five (5) dietary treatment (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) by 0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.0% respectively. Three hundred (300) fingerlings were randomly selected and divided into five treatments with each treatment having 60 fingerlings, that is, 20 fingerlings per replication and was replicated three times. They were fed three times daily under good management. The fish were fed for the period of 6 weeks (42 days). At the end of the culture period, the following growth indices were estimated and calculated. Final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and mortality rate. The result revealed that the fish fed T4 (0.75% boiled carrot) had the highest body weight, weight gain, lowest feed intake, best FCR while fish fed with 1.0% of the boiled carrot (T5) shows lower values. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in term of mortality. It can be concluded that boiled carrot as a growth promoter at 0.75% promoted weight gain, improved feed utilization. Therefore, it is recommended as a growth promoter in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).