Effect of Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) extract on growth of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Abstract

A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) extract on growth performance and body composition of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell, 1822). Fish with an average body weight of 10.52±0.89 g were fed with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5%) of bay laurel extract for 60 days. At the end of experiment, the highest weight gain, specific growth rate and food conversion rate were 13.19±0.18 g, 1.65±0.04 and 1.89±0.03, respectively at 1.5% bay laurel group. Also, the highest survival rates and PER were 100% and 1.10±0.02, respectively at 1.5% bay laurel dosage group. The best protein content (21.49%) was observed at 1.5% bay laurel dosage group. These results indicate that bay laurel extract, a feed additive of natural origin, may be considered as a potential growth promoter in catfish culture. Copyright 2016 Zoological Society of Pakistan.