Effect of three commercial floating fish feeds on survival and growth performance of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus )

Abstract

There is paucity of information regarding efficiency and suitability of most imported floating feeds used for growing catfish in Nigeria. This study therefore determined proximate compositions of three commercial floating fish feeds (Vital Feed, Top Feed and Allier Aqua Feed) and their effects on growth parameters when fed to juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). 65 litre capacity rectangular plastic tanks were stocked with healthy juveniles catfish of similar average weight were fed with these feeds for a period of 56 days (8weeks at the rate of 20 fish per tank. A triplicate trial was maintained for each feed, totalling nine tanks in all and 60 fish per feed. The tanks were labelled based on the type of feed. The rearing water quality parameters were monitored throughout the experiment. The results indicated that catfish fed with Top Feed had significantly (p<0.05) higher weight gain, higher specific growth rates and lower feed conversion rates than those of the other groups, although catfish Allier Aqua had similar performances. High survival rates (>80%) were observed in all groups while water quality parameters were not affected due to the feed offered. The results of the proximate composition attested to the fact that feed with high protein and lipid contents results in better fish growth i.e. Top feeds with high protein (45.16±2.73) and Allier Aqua with high (13.00±2.11) content. Variations in growth parameters and estimated cost of feeding observed in the present study imply that catfish that catfish farmers should exercise great caution in selecting commercial floating feeds for their fish since these feeds produce different growth effects on fish.