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ABSTRACT
Aquaculture production is considered as the future global solution to the declining fish capture. However insufficient production of fish due inadequacy of affordable quality feed is a major challenge in the development of aquaculture. This study investigated the growth performance of fingerlings African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed with various commercial feeds.
A total of 180 fingerlings mean weight (5.36g±0.13) were obtained. The experiment was conducted for a period of six weeks. The experiment had three treatments namely; Aqualis (T1), Aller aqua (T2) and Top feed (T3) with three (3) replicates each. Water quality parameters were recorded twice a week. The effect of different diet on specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate (SR) and feed utilization was determined.
Results indicated that water quality parameter such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and PH were within the acceptable range. Amongst the various experimental feeds, Treatment I (Aqualis) was significantly different in weight gained (8.264g) and specific growth rate (0.02911g/day). The lowest specific growth rate of fish was found in Treatment III (0.000511g/day). Treatment 1 had the highest survival rate (80%) which was significantly different from the feeds. Treatment 1 had a better feed conversion ratio (1.279) which was significantly different from the other treatments. Aller aqua had a better uniformity of growth (82%). During this experiment Aqualis performed better than the other experimental feeds. It also showed a higher survival rate and low pollution level. The treatment had a better feed utilization due to its better feed conversion ratio. It is then recommended that Aqualis should be the choice feed among the experimental commercial feeds for rearing fingerlings.
