Effects of stocking density on haematological functions of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed varying crude protein levels

This study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance and some haematological functions of Clarias gariepinus fed different levels of crude protein under varying stocking densities. Fish of even sizes were randomly selected and stocked in plastic circular tanks (0.05 x 0.03 x 0.03 m) at three stocking densities of 10 fish/m 3 (control), 15 fish/m 3 and 20 fish/m 3 . The fish of each stocking density were fed either a diet containing 40% Crude protein (CP) or 45% CP with a feeding rate of 3% body weight twice daily. The experiment was replicated thrice and it lasted for 12 weeks during which haematological parameters and plasma biochemistry were measured. From this study, haemoglobin (Hb) and Red Blood Cell (RBC) slightly increased in all treatments but the variation was not significant in relation to protein level in the diets. Plasma glucose increased significantly (P<0.05) in relation to the stocking densities. The plasma protein showed insignificant variation in relation to the stocking density but the variation was more pronounced (P<0.05) at the lowest stocking density as the protein level in the diets varied. It can be concluded that enhancing feed quality especially protein level in the fish diet may ensure faster growth, stress reduction and improve health status of the fish.