Response of Clarias gariepinus to Allium sativum-based diet on growth performance and Staphylococcus aureus challenge infection

The response of Clarias gariepinus to Allium sativum on growth performance and as anti-bacterial agent in Staphylococcus aureus challenge infection was evaluated. A. sativum was included at 0% (control), 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% in fish diet. Twenty fish samples each were randomly distributed into four tanks (T1, T2, T3 and T4). Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight for twelve weeks. All fish were challenged with 0.5ml of pure culture of S. aureus. A significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight, total length and standard length was observed. A. sativum at 3.0% inclusion promoted highest growth with feed conversion ratio (1.25-1.41), protein efficiency ratio (1.72-0.56), specific growth rate (1.92-2.09), condition factor (0.83-1.99) and survival rate (60-95). Fish-fed A. sativum diet showed that 4.5% inclusion had the least S. aureus activity. Bacteria load significantly (P<0.05) decrease at week 12. Culture water had dissolved oxygen of 4.0 - 4.2 mg/L, pH 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature of 26.0-28.0oC. This study has shown that A. sativum supplemented diets enhanced growth of C. gariepinus and functioned as antibacterial agent against S. aureus. A. sativum at 3.0% inclusion in diet is recommended for better fish growth and 4.5% A. sativum for antibacterial action. Keywords: Fish, herb, growth, infectio