Haematological response of Heterobranchus longifilis fed varying dietary protein levels

Abstract

Haematological effects of feeding varying dietary protein level to one hundred and fifty (150) H. longifilis fingerlings were examined.  Fingerlings of mean weights 1.26g ± 0.24g were stocked in eight hapa nets (1m x 1m x 1m) at 15 fingerlings per hapa.  Four experimental diets with crude protein 35%, 40%, 45% and 50% were fed to the fish for 8 weeks.  The blood sample was taken and examined for packed cell volume (PCV), total protein (TP) and Haemoglobin (Hb), Serum albumin, erythrocyte count (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), Mean Corpuscle Volume (MCV) and mean corpuscle haemoglobin concentration (MCHC).

      There was an increased values of the haematological indices with increased in protein inclusion levels.  There was a higher positive correlation with no significant difference (P>0.05) of RBC, WBC, Hb and TP.  The best RBC (2.10 x 106 count/L), WBC (7.65 x 104 count/L), PCV (35.4%) and Hb (5.79mg/L) were obtained in fingerlings fed 40% crude protein diet followed by 45% crude protein diet.  Based on the results, the dietary crude protein of 40% is recommended for the growth and healthy condition of the H. longifilis.