Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

This study evaluated the effects of dietary Aloe vera gel on growth performance and haematological characteristics of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). A total of 300 juveniles, initially weighing 14.00 g and measuring 12.00 cm, were distributed among 15 aquaria at 20 fish per aquarium in a completely randomised design with five dietary treatments and three replicates per treatment. The experimental feeds contained 40 g (T1), 30 g (T2), 20 g (T3), 10 g (T4) or 0 g (T5; control) of aloe vera gel and feeding continued for 56 days. Growth, feed utilisation, survival and selected blood indices were assessed. Table 3 recorded the highest mean weight value in T1 (48.92 ± 0.42), alongside the highest feed intake (37.53 ± 1.66), reported length value (17.28 ± 0.05) and specific growth rate (4.49 ± 0.08). The control exhibited the lowest corresponding weight (35.87 ± 0.42), feed intake (25.66 ± 0.06) and length (15.12 ± 0.05) values, together with the highest recorded survival measure (3.00 ± 1.00) and feed conversion ratio (1.51 ± 0.00). Haematological indices differed among treatments (p < 0.05). T1 showed the lowest red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration, whereas T4 showed the highest haemoglobin concentration. Overall, the findings indicate a growth response to dietary aloe vera, accompanied by treatment-dependent differences in blood indices, and do not establish a uniformly favourable inclusion level.