FFECT OF HERBAL BASED IMMUNOSTIMULANT DIETS FOR DISEASE CONTROL IN AFRICAN CATFISH Clarias gariepinus AGAINST Aeromonas hydrophila INFECTIONS.

The effect of herbal immunostimulants enriched diets was studied on some immune response parameters and disease resistance of African catfish Clarias gariepinus in south south Nigeria. One hundred and sixty 160 fish, average weight 100 ± 1. 4 g-1 were randomly divided into three 3 groups. One group was immunized with formalin inactivated vaccine with a booster dose after 14 days (2 weeks) post immunization. The second group was subdivided into two (2) treatment groups and fed with Allium sativum and Ocimum sanctum supplemented diets respectively for two weeks (14 days). The third group was fed with commercial diet supplemented with sterile phosphate buffer saline PBS and considered as control. Results showed that the oral administration of Allium sativum and Ocimum sanctum enriched diets and the immunized group were able to significantly enhanced lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity, as compare to the control. The study thus showed that oral Allium sativum and Ocimum sanctum supplemented diets could be potential candidates for herbal immunostimulants for African catfish rearing. Keywords: Allium sativum, Ocimum sanctum, immunostimulants and Clarias gariepinu