Abstract
The effect of molasses as dietary energy replacement for indomie waste in the diet of African catfish
was tested on 120 juveniles for 56 days. The fish were evenly distributed over twelve experimental
tanks (52.5 ï‚´ 33.5 ï‚´ 21 cm); feeding was done by hand to satiation and the water changed every other
day to maintain good water quality. Four experimental diets were formulated; the control, without the
test ingredient and the other three diets (diets 2, 3 and 4) contained 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% molasses
inclusion respectively. The mean weight gain (MWG) significantly increased (P<0.05) from 1 to 1.5%
before declining at 2% inclusion of test ingredient. Diet 3 recorded the highest MWG (117.47±6.17 g),
followed by the control diet (106.75±6.49 g). Similar pattern was recorded for the specific growth ratio.
There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the feed conversion ratio. The packed cell volume and
the hemoglobin significantly increased (P<0.05) from 1 to 2% inclusion, while the carcass proximate
composition for dry matter, crude protein and ether extract did not record any significant difference
(P>0.05). The inclusion of molasses in African catfish diet up to the level tested would not have any
negative effect on growth and health of fish.
Key words: Molasses, African catfish, molasses replacement, catfish diet
