Effects of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Calyx as Dietary Additive on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, and Haematological Parameters of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of roselle as dietary supplements on the growth performance, nutrients utilization and hematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings using standard methods and procedures for a period of three months from October to November 2021 in fish research farm of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of Renewable natural resources, Federal University Dutsin-ma (FUDMA), Katsina State located along the new market road adjacent Shema filling station at latitude 120.46’’ and longitude 70..49’’ Dutsin-ma Katsina State. Two hundred Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (4.25±0.13g) were allotted to four diets as treatments in a complete randomized design with roselle as additives at different inclusion levels of 0.0%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8%respectively. Fish fed 0.8% roselle have significantly (p>0.05) higher growth performance and nutrient utilization followed by 0.6%roselle fed fish group, while 0.4%roselle fed fish had the lowest growth performance among treated groups and control. There were no significant changes (p>0.05) in the haematology of C. gariepinus fed different levels of roselle, but highest values for red blood cells (3.10±0.26), haemoglobin (9.63±0.85), packed cell volume (29.0±2.65) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (31.1±1.05) were observed in 0.8% roselle group. Highest mean corpuscular volume (94.4±7.91) and lymphocyte (32.0±4.36) were seen in 0.6% roselle treated group. Highest mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (33.27±0.05) in the control. For differential white blood cell counts, higher neutrophil (71.33±7.03) and basophil (2.3±1.53) were seen in 0.8% g roselle treatment group. Highest mean corpuscular volume (94.4±7.91) and lymphocyte (32.0±4.36) were seen in 0.6% roselle treated group, while the control have highest value for monocyte (4.3±2.52) and eosinophil (2.0±1.00). This study showed that fish fed 0.8% roselle diet had better growth performance, nutrient utilization and haematological parameters and it is therefore recommended for use in fish diet.