Dietary utilization of different portions of sweet cassava root (Manihot palmata) for the nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

The effects of dietary parts of sweet cassava (Manihot palmata) root meal on growth and hematological parameters were investigated in cichlid, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus). Mixed-sex fingerlings of O. niloticus (mean weight, 6.86-6.99 g) were fed with diets containing different portions of sweet cassava root meal at the inclusion level of 24.0 g kg -1 in lieu of corn meal in a control, for 8 weeks. The best weight gain (2.44±0.69 g) and feed efficiency (1.62±0.57) were obtained in fish fed with diet containing maize (control), while the least (1.61±0.15 g) and (2.22±0.15) were obtained in fish fed diet containing cassava tuber. However, significant differences were not observed in weight gain and feed efficiency of fish fed on the control diet and those fed on diet containing cassava peel. Similarly, the highest specific growth rate (0.46±0.01) was obtained in fish fed the control diet followed closely by fish fed on diet containing cassava peel (0.39±0.01). The values of hematological parameters obtained in this study were within the normal range. Based on the results obtained in this study, it could be concluded that sweet cassava peel can be included into aqua feeds to replace maize, as energy source for Oreochromis niloticus. This would reduce the high cost of producing aqua feeds in Africa with special reference to Nigeria.