Effect of the Substitution Levels of Zea mays by Ripe and Unripe Banana Peels Powder Musa paradisiaca on the Survival and Some Growth Characteristics of Clarias jaensis (Boulenger, 1909) Juveniles

In order to contribute to the improvement of Clarias jaensis feeding in an intensive system, the effect of Zea mays substitution level by Musa paradisiaca ripe and unripe peel flour on the survival and some growth characteristics of Clarias jaensis juveniles was studied at the “Common Initiatives Group of Agricultures and farmers of Biological products of Cameroon” (3°55- 4°67LN and 9°46- 11°52LE), Centre-Cameroon Region. To this end, 315 Clarias jaensis juveniles (65.5 ±10.61g) were randomly distributed in 21 plastic tanks containing 60 liters of water each at a density of 250 individuals/m3 and divided into seven comparable batches with three repetitions, corresponding to 0; 5; 10; 15% substitution of corn meal by that of ripe and unripe peels of banana Musa paradisiaca. Fishes were fed 02 times a day (8 a.m. and 6 p.m.) at 5% ichtyo biomass for 84 days. The results obtained were as follows: survival rate was comparable between treatments (100, 00 ± 0.00%), mean final weight was higher in individuals fed on 15% ripe peels of banana Musa paradisiaca (77.87 ± 4.69g), mean daily gain and specific growth rate were higher with the 15% ripe Musa paradisiaca peel diet (0.18± 0.13 g/d and 0.27 ± 0.03 % g/d), the consumption index and feed cost to produce one kg of Clarias jaensis were lower at 15% (1.25±0.03 and 637.5 Fcfa) and higher at 0% (1.6 ± 0.04 and 832 Fcfa).

Keywords: Feeding, Clarias jaensis, growth, Musa paradisiaca. Substitution.