~ 642 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2016; 4(5): 642-646 ISSN: 2347-5129 (ICV-Poland) Impact Value: 5.62 (GIF) Impact Factor: 0.549 IJFAS 2016; 4(5): 642-646 © 2016 IJFAS www.fisheriesjournal.com Received: 24-07-2016 Accepted: 25-08-2016 Amakoé ADJANKE (a) Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science (FDS), University of Lome, PoBox 1515 Lome, Togo (b) Aquaculture and aquatic Ecotoxicology Research Unit, Faculty of Agronomy (FA), University of Parakou (UP), 03 PoBox 61, Parakou, Benin Kokou TONA Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science (FDS), University of Lome, PoBox 1515 Lome, Togo Célestin Melecony BLE Aquaculture Department, Center of Research for Oceanology (CRO), PoBox V 18 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Ibrahim IMOROU TOKO Aquaculture and aquatic Ecotoxicology Research Unit, Faculty of Agronomy (FA), University of Parakou (UP), 03 PoBox 61, Parakou, Benin Messanvi GBEASSOR Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science (FDS), University of Lome, PoBox 1515 Lome, Togo Correspondence Amakoé ADJANKE (a) Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science (FDS), University of Lome, PoBox 1515 Lome, Togo (b) Aquaculture and aquatic Ecotoxicology Research Unit, Faculty of Agronomy (FA), University of Parakou (UP), 03 PoBox 61, Parakou, Benin Effect of dietary inclusion of palm kernel meal on feed intake, growth and body composition of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus reared in concrete tanks in Togo Amakoé ADJANKE, Kokou TONA, Célestin Melecony BLE, Ibrahim IMOROU TOKO and Messanvi GBEASSOR Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of inclusion of palm kernel meal on feed intake, growth and body composition of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus reared in concrete tanks. Fingerlings of fish with an average initial weight 5.18 ± 0.06 g were fed five isonitrogenous diets (R0, R1, R2, R3 and R4) containing respectively 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of palm kernel meal. These diets were compared with a commercial fish feed (Raanan) all about 32%. After 8 weeks of experiment the final body weight varied between 25.75 g and 38.18 g according to the tested treatments. The best growth rate and food conversion ratio were obtained by feed containing 30% and 40% of palm kernel meal, with respective specific growth rate (SGR) of 3.35%/d and 3.08%/d and food conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.67 and 2.00 against a SGR of 3.58%/d and a FCR of 1.53 obtained with commercial food (RC). This successful test which allowed determining the optimal dietary inclusion of palm kernel meal at 30% in Tilapia on growing feed will be pursued by nutritional improvement tests of this ingredient in order to have a performed feed for Tilapia rearing in Togo. Keywords: Oreochromis niloticus, feed, palm kernel meal, growth performance 1. Introduction Fish farming is an alternative to fish production deficit in developing countries where population growth corollary food requirements increased including fish [1] , which often remains animal protein main source [2] . In Togo, fish production is 25,000 tons per year while needs are estimated at more than 80,000 tons [3] . It is therefore necessary to increase local production through fish farming. Togo fish farming falls within extensive system [4] and its production is marginal (20 tons / year) despite natural potential available for development. This situation is due to food that remains the main constraint to its emergence. Its cost, which exceeds 50% of production cost in fish farming [5] , is related to fish meal use as main protein source in compound feed for aquaculture [6] . It is important to seek for alternative and cheap sources of protein to reduce production cost of fish [7, 8] . Other farms competition with fish farming in terms of vegetable proteins poses availability problems. Accessibility to palm kernel meal allows conducting research on its effectiveness in improving fish production. The main benefit of this ingredient is its average crude protein content (16% dry matter) and its permanent availability [4] . Therefore, the purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of palm kernel meal on growth performance, feed utilization and body composition of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. The results will enable the development of low-cost feed for fish breeding with agricultural by-products available locally in Togo. 2. Materials and methods 2.1 Experimental procedure This study was carried out from December 2015 to February 2016 at Aquaculture research and Development unit (REDAQ) based in the agricultural experiment station of the University of Lome in Togo. Five experimental diets, R0, R1, R2, R3 and R4, isonitrogenous (32%), including gradual level 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of palm kernel meal (Table 1) were prepared using an electric meat grinder (Arshia Model MG300-602) with 3 mm diameter.Corn,