Author(s): JO Cheikyula, D Torsabo, AA Garba and OS Patrick

Abstract: This study was done to investigate the utilisation of the Emperor moth larva (Cirina forda) as a replacement for fishmeal as a protein source in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. The proximate composition of the larva of Cirina was determined according to the methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists, AOAC (2003) to be 49% crude protein, 17.55% lipid, 8.57% moisture, 4.83% fibre, 20.05% carbohydrate and 5.54% ash. One hundred and twenty fingerlings of C. gariepinus were fed four diets formulated to contain 40% crude protein for 56 days. The diets were prepared by replacing fishmeal with C. forda larva meal at 50%, 75% and 100% in triplicate with a control diet without the larva meal. The diets were fed twice a day. The highest final mean weight and mean weight gain were obtained in diet 3 containing 100% Cirina forda while the least values were recorded in Control diet of 0% inclusion of Cirina forda. Clarias gariepinus can tolerate and utilize adequately 100% Cirina forda as a protein source without any inclusion of fishmeal .

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