ABSTRACT
This study evaluates the growth, body composition, and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila challenge in juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed diets supplemented with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Five experimental diets containing different percentages of locally grown dried spirulina (0, 1, 3, 5 and 7%) were fed daily to catfish juveniles at 5% of their body weight. The growth and body composition of the catfish were determined up to 90 days of the study period. At day 91, the catfish were intraperitoneally injected with 107 CFU/ml of virulent A. hydrophila. Generally, the growth and body composition of the catfish in spirulina inclusion groups showed no significant difference with the control group. The survival rate following A. hydrophila challenge was significantly low in the control group compared to all of the other treatment groups. After the challenge trial, only the white blood cell count value was significantly higher in all of the groups supplemented with spirulina compared to the control group. We concluded that the locally grown spirulina do not improve growth and body composition, but it increased the catfish resistance towards A. hydrophila infection.