Hematological Indices of Clarias griepinus (Burchell, 1882) Fingerlings Fed Diet Containing Graded Levels of Calabash (Lagenaria vulgaries) Seed Meal

The effect of graded levels of calabash (Lagneria vulgaries) seed meal (CSM) on hematological response of Clarias gariepinus juveniles was investigated. Five isonitrogeneous (45% crude protein level) diets at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% inclusion levels of CSM designed as diets I, II, III, IV and V were fed to 15 groups of Clarias gariepinus juveniles for 56 days. There was no clear trend in the Packed Cell Volume, Hemoglobin, Red Blood Cell and Mean Cell Volume of the fish fed the experimental diets. However, there was decreased in Parked Cell Volume (24.00±1.00%), Hemoglobin (8.27±0.06g/dl), Red Blood Cell (2.09±0.091012/ml) and Mean Cell Volume (114.52±6.08) with significant (p<0.05) difference between the treatments on the fish fed the highest inclusion level (60%) than the control. White Blood Cell (2.09±0.10109ml) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (34.48±1.23%) exhibit a significant (p<0.05) difference at higher inclusion level (60%) than the control and other dietary treatments. The study recommends that Clarias gariepinus fingerlings can be fed up to 29.69(60%) inclusion level of calabash seed meal with out negative effect on the health status of the fish. Keywords: Calabash seed meal, Clarias gariepinus fingerlings, Heamatological parameter