Evaluation of Moringa oleifera young leaves as feed additives to Nile tilapia [manuscript]
Date
2018
Authors
Lester T. Palapox
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Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and survival rate of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fry reared at indoor aquarium and fed commercial feed with different concentration of pulverized Moringa oleifera young leaves. The experiment was conducted for a period of 45 days. The four different treatments were 0, 5, 10, and 15 g pulverized moringa young leaves per 100 g of feeds and each treatment was replicated three times. The highest mean final weight was obtained in Treatment 4 with a value f 8.30±0.80 g. On the other hand, fish in Treatment 1 obtained the second highest final weight with 7.65±0.42 g, followed by fish in Treatment 2 with a value of 7.32±0.32 g and Treatment 3 obtained the lowest final weight with 7.13±0.78 g. However, all treatments were not significant (P>0.05) from each other on the mean final weight. Treatment 4 had highest mean final length with 6.32±0.22 cm, followed by Treatment 1 (6.04±0.10 cm), Treatment 3 (6.02±0.20 cm) and Treatment 2 (5.90±0.09 cm). However, all treatments were comparable. Result of the study showed that tilapia fry fed with commercial feeds+15 g pulverized moringa young leaves (Treatment 4) had obtained the highest value in final weight, final length and gain in weight. Treatment 4 had lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). All treatments have 100% survival. The results of water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH were not significant among treatments. Based from the results addition of moringa in feeds have no benefits on the growth of tilapia. More so, water quality was not affected. Generally, to observed better result of growth performance it is suggested that duration of the experiment be extended up to 3 to 4 months.