Effects of Garlic Inclusion on Growth and Survival of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Abstract

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with garlic (Allium sativum) on the growth performance and survival of Clarias gariepinus juveniles under controlled culture conditions. A total of 100 fingerlings with initial mean weights ranging from 6.04 ± 0.30 g to 6.30 ± 0.54 g were randomly allocated into five dietary treatments (A–E) in a completely randomized design, each with equal stocking density and replicates. Treatment A served as the control (0% garlic), while Treatments B, C, D, and E contained 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and 1.0% garlic inclusion levels, respectively. Fish were acclimatized for two weeks and fed for eight weeks at 5% body weight per day. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test at p < 0.05.Results showed that garlic supplementation significantly improved growth and survival performance compared to the control. Final body weight increased from 18.39 ± 2.80 g in the control to 25.41 ± 1.86 g, 24.47 ± 6.77 g, 25.89 ± 2.86 g, and 26.58 ± 3.87 g in Treatments B–E, respectively. Weight gain followed a similar pattern, increasing from 12.09 ± 2.83 g in the control to 19.00 ± 5.77 g (0.2%), 18.43 ± 1.44 g (0.3%), 19.67 ± 2.19 g (0.5%), and 20.33 ± 4.19 g (1.0%). Survival rate improved from 75.00 ± 4.81% in the control to 88.00 ± 6.35%, 85.80 ± 5.30%, 91.67 ± 4.81%, and 94.45 ± 2.78% across increasing garlic inclusion levels. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) ranged from 1.61 ± 0.36 in the control to 1.15 ± 0.92–1.22 ± 0.55 in garlic-supplemented diets, indicating improved feed utilization efficiency without adverse effects. Specific growth rate (SGR) increased from 0.83 ± 0.18% day⁻¹ in the control to approximately 1.10–1.12% day⁻¹ in treated groups. Overall, garlic inclusion at 0.5–1.0% produced the best performance outcomes, with up to     44.54% improvement in final weight, 68.16% increase in weight gain, and 25.93% increase in survival relative to the control. The study demonstrates that dietary garlic is an effective natural growth promoter and immunostimulant for sustainable catfish aquaculture.