Nutritive value and utilization of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) meal as plant protein supplement in the diet of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) (Pisces: Clariidae) fingerlings

120 fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus were fed five different experimental 35% isoproteic diets, a control (0% water hyacinth) and four diets containing different levels of water hyacinth (10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) in place of fish meal as protein source at %% of the body weight for 70 days under laboratory condition. The study revealed a decrease in the growth performance indices as the level of water hyacinth increases. The highest weight gain (3.67g/fish) and specific growth rate (0.84%) and lowest weight gain (3.08g/fish) and specific growth rate (0.54) were recorded from fish fed the control diet and 40% water hyacinth inclusion respectively. There was no significant difference (P≤0.05) between the weights gains recorded for the fish fed all the experimental diets. The cost of feeds production decreases as the inclusion levels of water hyacinth increases. Highest Net Profit of N224.07 was recorded from fish fed 30% water hyacinth supplemented diet. Based on the result of this experiment, the 40% inclusion levels of water hyacinth as fish meal supplements is recommended in a practical diet of C. gariepinus for good yield and profitability