Growth Performances and Immunological Indices of Clarias Gariepinus Fingerlings Fed Diets Incorporated With Aloe Vera Leaves-paste

African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus, has become an important aquaculture species in Nigeria for its high economic value and cherished delicacy. Proper growth and survival of fish in an aquaculture system depend on good nutrition. This study examined the growth performance and immunological profiles of C. gariepinus fingerlings fed diets incorporated with Aloe vera leaves-paste. The experimental diets were prepared by incorporating basal feed (40.36% crude protein) with Aloe vera leaves-paste at 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% rates. The four diets were ALD1, ALD2, ALD3, and ALD4, respectively. Basal feed without Aloe vera leaves-paste (0%) is the control (CTRL). The proximate compositions of the experimental basal diet were analysed. The diets were fed to C. gariepinus fingerlings for 6 weeks and monitored for growth performances, feed utilisation, and immunological profiles. There were significant differences (p0.05) from the initial value of 98.50% at the start of the feeding trials. Neutrophils were reported to be highest (2.40%) in CTRL and lowest (1.60%) in ALD2. The study concluded that C. gariepinus could be fed diets incorporated with Aloe vera leaves paste at 1.0% for improved growth and health performances.