The non-significant value of the growth parameters (Table 3) tested in the present study is
corroborated by the fact that fish fed diets containing similar levels of digestible protein and
digestible energy should be identical (Fagbenro and Davies, 2000). These results may be related
to the high digestibility of banana as observed by Mackay and Bolinda (2001) who reported that
bananas are very digestible fruits, rich in components that stimulate digestion, as well as appetite
stimulant.The higher feed intake observed with the group fed ripe bananas may be due to the
sweet nature of banana fruit and the ability of banana to replenish nutritional deficiencies (Forster
et al. 2002). The decreased feed intake observed in the unripe group may be due to the presence
of tannin; Babatunde (1992) reported varying levels of active tannins, the factor that is
responsible for the astringency of raw green bananas. The level of nutrient utilization in the test
diets may not be unconnected with starch converted to simple sugar which makes digestion and
utilization simple especially in the ripe banana. According to Emagaet al. (2002), maturation of
banana involves, increase in soluble sugar, decrease in starch and hemicelluloses, and slight
increase in protein and lipid content.
Of all parameters analysed for economic indices only incidence cost (IC) recorded significant
difference (P