Dietary effects of two medicinal plants (Sesamum indicum) and (Croton zambesicus) on the reproductive indices in female African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) broodstock

The effect of dietary Sesamum indicum (beniseed) and Croton zambesicus seed powder on growth and reproductive indices of female catfish, Clarias gariepinus broodstocks were investigated in two experiments. Fish fed experimental diets showed significantly improved growth performance and reproductive indices over the control treatment. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) gonadosomatic index was recorded for the fish fed diet of 100 mg kg−1S. indicum seed powder compared to other experimental diets. In a C. zambesicus trial, the best performance and reproductive indices were achieved in fish fed on dietary C. zambesicus seed powder compared to the control. These results reveal that supplement diets with medicinal plants (S. indicum and C. zambesicus) enhance growth and improve gonadosomatic index, and reproductive indices of female C. gariepinus broodstocks and has a potential pro-fertility property which can be exploited in fish seed production by hatchery operators.