The PCV and Hb reduced significantly with ripe banana inclusion (Table 5). The reduction might
have occurred as a result of anti-nutritional factor present in the test ingredient. Furthermore, the
anti-nutritional factor act as a stressor; and during primary stages of stress the PCV changes due
to the release of catecholamine, which can mobilize red blood cells from spleen or induced red
blood cell swelling as a result of fluid shift into the intracellular compartment(Wells and Weber,
1990).There was a significant drop in WBC with increased inclusion level in all the diets. The
increase in white blood cells of diet 2 is an indicator of a challenged or disturbed state of health
of fish which is likely due to stress as reported by (Gabriel et al., 2001).In conclusion, judging
from better growth, nutrient and haematological performance, graded inclusion levels of ripe and
unripe banana is a better substitute for maize except for 20% inclusion level of unripe banana