EFFECT OF RATION LEVEL ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS
1Ugwaka Kingsley Anene & 2Igbokwe Samuel O
1Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam,
2Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Okoh,
ABSTRACT: This investigation was carried out to study the effect ration level will have on the growth and development of African catfish (clarias gariepinus). The research was carried out in the hatchery section of Zoology department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and it lasted for eight weeks. The fish were subjected to different levels of ration feeding, (3%, 5%, 7% and 9% body weight ration level). The results show that those fed on 5% body weight ration level recorded the highest weight increase (106.64g) while those fed on 3% body weight ration level recorded the least weight increase (79.67g). The results also show that those fed on 5% body weight ration level recorded the highest value of specific growth rate (0.103) while those fed on 3% body weight ration level recorded the least value (0.083). ANOVA statistical method was used to analyze the results and I discovered that there was no significant difference among the treatments in both cases. The P values 0.091 and 0.075 recorded respectively are greater than 0.05, i.e. (0.091 > 0.05) and (0.075 > 0.05). Based on the results we recommended that feeding the juvenile of Clarias gariepinus on 5% body weight ratio is the best ration level to feed in order to reduce cost of culture, get the highest maximum size of fish and also maximize profit.
