Abstract:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) on the
zootechnical performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), replacing soybean as a
protein source in alternative fish feed. Pigeonpea flour was used to partially and completely
replace soybean meal in the preparation of fish feed. The diet was prepared to contain 83% of
maize and rice bran mixture as energetic sources and 17% of pigeonpea flour as a protein
source added in 3 levels of soy flour substitution at 0%, 50% and 100%, representing
treatments I, II and III respectively. The sexually inverted 5 g ± 0.5 g fish were fed for a period
of 90 days with diets containing different amounts of pigeonpea. There were no significant
differences in the zootechnical performance of the fish. It was concluded that the pigeonpea
can replace the soybean as a protein source in the supplementary feeding of the Nile tilapia
without influencing the zootechnical performance of the same, as well as quality of the water.