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A 10 week experiment was conducted to check the effect of diced Abelmoschus esculenta (Okra) on control of
cannibalism in stocked fingerlings of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). A total number of 250 catfish fingerlings
with average weight of 1.40g±0.10g were randomly assigned to 5 treatments replicated thrice as I, II, III, IV and V
representing, control (0g) 10g, 20g, 30g and 40g of Abelmoschus esculenta (Okra) respectively to study the effect
that okra level have on weight gain, survival rate, haematological and histo-pathological parameters of Clarias
gariepinus. Water quality parameters were also monitored. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive
statistics and Anova while Duncan Multiple Range test was used to separate the difference in means. The initial
mean weight of the fingerlings in treatment I, II, III, IV and V were 1.39±.04, 1.42±.09, 1.37±.39, 1.38±.02 and
1.45±.07g respectively. The results revealed that fish with no okra recorded the highest final weight value of 24.6g
while the least value was recorded in Treatment V (40g okra).There was no significant difference (P>0.05) among
the treatments, however, the mean weight of the fish decreased as the inclusion level increased. Hence, the highest
mean weight of 23.27g was recorded in the control treatment while the least value (11.15g) was recorded in
treatment V. On the survival rate of the fish there was significant difference (P<0.05) in control with least value of
26.66% while Treatment V had the highest survival rate of 86.66%. Haematological parameters result revealed the
highest PVC value of 33.50% in treatment II containing 20g of the diced okra while the least value of 20.50% was
recorded in control. Hb followed the same pattern with PVC however, there was significant difference (p<0.05)
among the treatments. The WBC increased with increasing inclusion level of the diced okra fruits. The biochemical
changes observed revealed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the total blood protein, albumin,
globulin and blood glucose. The highest value (9.65±0.40) of total protein was recorded in Treatment II and least
(7.65±0.35) was obtained in treatment III. Albumin value ranged from 1.95±0.05 in treatment III to 3.35±0.05 in
treatment V such as, total protein, blood glucose and albumin. There was significant difference (p<0.05) among the
various water quality parameters measured. The nitrate ranged from 1.02 ± 0.28mg/l in control to 1.13 ± 0.01mg/l
in treatment IV. DO range between 5.15 ± 0.33mg/l in control to 9.94 ± 0.30mg/l in treatment IV. From this study it
can be deduced that survival rate can be increased by reducing cannibalism level among fingerlings of African
catfish (Clarias gariepinus) under culture using okra (Abelmoschus esculenta) at 40g level in addition to adequate
feeding.
Key words: Clarias gariepinus, Abelmoschus esculenta, Haematology, Cannibalism