Evaluation of Chromolaena odorata as Growth Promoter in the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822)

The effect of different concentrations of Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) supplementation in fish feed on Clarias gariepinus fingerling growth characteristics was examined. Fish were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental groups: 0.0 percent (controls), 0.5 percent, 1.0 percent, and 3.0 percent concentrations of Chromolaena odorata in feed. Fish was fed at 5 percent body weight (g) per day for 70 days. Results showed that fish-fed the treatment diet had no significant effect on weight gain. The final body lengths (cm) of all treated groups were marginally (P > 0.05) different from the control group after 70 days. When the growth parameters were considered, the fish fed the diet containing 1.0 percent Chromolaena odorata had the best growth response (2.4±0.04g) while the fish fed the control diet had the slowest growth (1.2±0.13g). In comparison with the control fish fed the diet containing 1.0 percent Chromolaena odorata had the best feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR), and condition factor (K) This study showed that the inclusion of Chromolaena odorata in fish food at 0.5 – 3.0 percent level did not significantly increase the weight and length of catfish.