Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Survival of African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) Fingerlings Fed Locally Formulated and Commercial Pelleted Diets Reared in Tarpaulin Tanks
David, Gift Samuel & Afia, Ofonime Edet
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environmental Management
University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Email: giftdavid80@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated growth performance, nutrient utilization and survival of cultured Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed locally formulated (sinking) and commercial (floating) pelleted diets in tarpaulin tanks. Fingerlings of initial mean weight (72.99 g ± 3.09) were stocked in each treatment replicated 3 times. Fish were cultured for 8 weeks. The stocking rate was 15 fish per m2. The fish were fed three times daily at 5% body weight. Results showed that C. gariepinus fingerlings fed floating (commercial) diet had significantly higher (p<0.05) final mean weight (921.73 g ± 47.44) than sinking (locally formulated) diet (184.22 g ± 20.54). Commercial feed had higher (p<0.05) specific growth rate (3.29 ± 0.07) than locally formulated diet (0.97 ± 0.20). Fish fed commercial diet has significantly lower (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (0.83 ± 0.03) than locally formulated diet (3.23 ± 0.40). Protein efficiency ratio was significantly (p<0.05) lower in fish fed locally formulated diet (0.80 ± 0.11) than commercial diet (2.69 ± 0.09). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in survival rate for fish fed commercial feed (95.55 % ± 2.22) and locally formulated feed (97.78 % ± 2.22). Water quality parameters including temperature (°C), dissolved oxygen (mg/l) and pH were not significantly different (p>0.05) during the study and were maintained within acceptable range. Proximate analysis of the dry matter of the two experimental feeds showed that the commercial feed had higher value of crude protein (45%) and crude lipid (14%) and lower value for crude fibre (2.5%), total ash (7.5%) and carbohydrate (28.2%) when compared with the sinking diet of lower crude protein (22.75%) and crude lipid (8.06%) and higher value of crude fibre (9.66%), total ash (11.50%) and carbohydrate (48.06%). Based on these findings, commercial feed is recommended for feeding C. gariepinus fingerlings since it showed higher growth performance, better nutrient utilization and greater survival.
Keywords: commercial feed, locally formulated feed, floating feed, sinking feed, Clarias gariepinus, growth performance.
