Effects Of Different Fish Feeds On Growth Performance Of African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings

Abstract

An investigation on the effects of different fish feeds on performance of African mud catfish Clarias gariepinus fingerlings was conducted in a semi flow through system at the outdoor facility of the Fisheries Department experimental farm of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola for the period of 12 weeks. The fingerlings were stocked at the rate of 10 fish per tank, this was done in triplicate and the fingerlings were fed 5% of their body weight twice daily (9.00 and 16.00) in all the treatments. Water quality parameters observed were within tolerable limits and conducive for the growth and well being of the fingerlings. The highest mean weight gain of (125.99) was obtained in diet B (as well as the mean length gain of (19.65). The mean haematological parameters such as WBC was observed to be high in diet A (194.67) and low in diet B, but the differences were only observed in total protein and albumin in different treatments. Condition factor of diet A was the highest (2.02).The carcass proximate composition was significantly different in all the treatments with diet C having the highest crude protein (55.89); Diet A recorded the highest protein efficiency ratio (0.23). Therefore it can be concluded that indigenous or feeds locally formulated in the country in this research recorded the highest growth performance and nutrient utilization. Therefore it can be concluded that indigenous or feeds locally formulated in the country in this research recorded the highest growth performance and nutrient utilization.