Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of African Mud Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fingerlings fed Different Levels of Fermented Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) meal

The suitability of fermented pigeon pea meal as a protein ingredient in diets for Clarias gariepinus fingerlings was evaluated. A strain of Rhizopus oligoporus was used to ferment the meal for six days at 37°C. Five isonitrogenous (30% crude protein) and isoenergetic (16.45 MJ/kg) diets were formulated in which fermented meal was used to replace soybean meal at five inclusion levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%). Diets were fed to triplicate groups of C. gariepinus fingerlings for 70 days. Crude protein content (22.6%-27.0%), total sugar, calcium, and phosphorus increased while lipids, carbohydrate, crude fiber, and antinutritional factors decreased in catfish fed increasing levels of pigeon pea meal. The group fed the 100% diet had significantly (p