International Journal of Aquaculture, 2026, Vol.16, No.4, 203-212 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 207 2.12 Statistical analysis Data obtained from the experiment were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Treatment means were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and where significant differences were observed, Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used to separate the means. Statistical significance was established at P < 0.05. 3 Results 3.1 Proximate composition of experimental diets The proximate composition of the control and herbal-supplemented diets is presented in Table 1. Differences in nutrient composition were observed among the experimental diets following the inclusion of garlic, ginger, and neem. Moisture content varied from 9.07% in the ginger-supplemented diet to 10.18% in the neem diet. Ash content was relatively higher in the neem (4.65%) and ginger (4.38%) diets than in the control (3.08%) and garlic (3.04%) diets. The inclusion of the herbal additives resulted in slightly higher crude protein levels, with the neem-based diet recording the highest value (23.40%). Crude protein content in both the garlic and ginger diets was 22.00%, compared with the control diet. A similar trend was observed for crude fibre content, which increased from 7.20% in the control diet to 11.00% in the ginger-supplemented diet. Ether extract ranged from 12.00% in the control diet to 15.00% in the ginger diet. In contrast, nitrogen-free extract decreased following herbal supplementation and was highest in the control diet (47.85%). Table 1 Proximate composition (%) of the experimental diets Parameter (%) Control Garlic (2%) Neem (2%) Ginger (2%) Moisture 9.57 9.24 10.18 9.07 Ash 3.08 3.04 4.65 4.38 Crude fibre 7.20 7.47 8.80 11.00 Crude protein 20.30 22.00 23.40 22.00 Ether extract 12.00 12.41 14.29 15.00 Nitrogen-free extract 47.85 45.84 38.68 38.55 3.2 Haematological responses of Clarias gariepinus The haematological characteristics of Clarias gariepinus fed the experimental diets are presented in Table 2. Dietary supplementation with garlic, ginger, and neem influenced several erythrocytic and leucocytic parameters. Table 2 Haematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus fed experimental diets Parameter Control Garlic (2%) Ginger (2%) Neem (2%) PCV (%) 32.20 ± 2.96ᵃᵇ 37.80 ± 2.69ᵃ 30.20 ± 0.66ᵇ 34.40 ± 1.91ᵃᵇ Plasma protein (g dL⁻¹) 6.56 ± 0.45 5.96 ± 0.30 5.84 ± 0.24 6.02 ± 0.34 Hb (g dL⁻¹) 10.72 ± 0.93ᵃᵇ 12.48 ± 0.77ᵃ 10.04 ± 0.28ᵇ 11.36 ± 0.67ᵃᵇ WBC (cells µL⁻¹) 4890 ± 302ᵇ 5690 ± 93ᵃᵇ 5660 ± 529ᵃᵇ 6750 ± 469ᵃ RBC (×10⁶ cells µL⁻¹) 23.60 ± 4.10ᵇ 51.80 ± 3.38ᵃ 20.00 ± 2.30ᵇ 48.00 ± 6.36ᵃ Neutrophils (%) 41.20 ± 0.58ᵇ 46.40 ± 4.99ᵃᵇ 44.80 ± 0.37ᵃᵇ 50.00 ± 0.71ᵃ Lymphocytes (%) 50.80 ± 1.74 49.80 ± 5.02 48.80 ± 0.58 44.80 ± 0.80 Monocytes (%) 2.80 ± 0.37ᵃ 2.00 ± 0.00ᵇ 1.60 ± 0.24ᵇ 2.00 ± 0.00ᵇ Eosinophils (%) 5.00 ± 1.00ᵃ 2.60 ± 0.40ᵇ 4.40 ± 0.24ᵃ 4.00 ± 0.00ᵃᵇ Basophils (%) 1.00 ± 0.00 1.00 ± 0.00 1.00 ± 0.00 1.00 ± 0.00 Table notes: Values are presented as mean ±SD. Means within a row bearing different superscripts differ significantly at P < 0.05. Fish fed the garlic-supplemented diet exhibited the highest packed cell volume (37.80 ±2.69%) and haemoglobin concentration (12.48 ± 0.77 g dL⁻¹), whereas the lowest values were recorded in fish fed the ginger diet. Red
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