Chemical composition of clupeids fish as alternative replacement for foreign fish meal in fish feeds in West Africa region

Abstract

Sun dried Clupeids fish was acquired from fishermen in Kainji Dam Basin and Danish fish meal also procured in order to compare their nutrient composition. The clupeids fish were milled into fish meal as Danish fish meal and both were analysed for chemical composition to determine the nutrient profile using standard procedures. The results of proximate composition showed that Clupeids fish meal has 70.68% crude protein while Danish fish meal has 72.6% crude protein which were not significantly different (P>0.05). The results of amino acid profile analysis showed that they both contain all the essential amino acids (EAA) and methionine and cysteine in clupeids fish meal was significantly higher than that in Danish fish meal (P<0.05). The results also showed that both contain minerals and calcium and phosphorus level was higher in clupeids fish meal than Danish fish meal. It was concluded that clupeids fish showed possibility of replacing Danish fish meal in fish diets on a ratio 1:1 basis and such will be confirmed in a feeding experiment. The success of clupeids replacing foreign fish meal will help the West Africa region to reduce importation.