Effects of Kigelia africana, Beta vulgaris and Ricinodendron heudelotti as feed additive on growth performance, survival and whole-body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Linnaeus, 1758) fry

Abstract

The effect of three African medicinal herbs used as feed additive on the growth and survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was studied. Four isoproteins (32%) and isolipid (13%) diets, namely RC (control diet or 0% plant), 3% B. vulgaris, 3% K. africana and 3% R. heudelotti, were manufactured. One hundred and eighty (180) Nile tilapia fry with an initial average weight of 0.15 ± 0.01 g were randomly distributed in 12 plastic tanks (50 L / tank) at a density of 15 fish per tank and fed three times (8.00 h am, 1.00 h pm and 5.00 h pm) per day for 90 days. For the parameters studied (average weight gain (AWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rate (SR)) no significant difference was observed between diets at the end of the experiment. Furthermore, the addition of 3% K. africana or B. vulgaris or R. heudelotti had no impact on the dry matter, ash, crude protein and whole-body fat content of Nile tilapia fry. This study showed that 3% B. vulgaris or K. africana or R. heudelotti has no adverse effect on the growth, survival and whole-body composition of Nile tilapia fry.