WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS, CARCASS AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS REARED IN PLASTIC TANKS FED FISH FEED DIET SUPPLEMENTED WITH. MICROBIAL PHYTASE

Abstract

Evaluation of water quality parameters, carcass and mineral composition of Clarias gariepinus fed with fish feed diet supplemented with microbial phytase (Aspergillus niger) was carried out. 240 Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (Mean initial body weight 4.67+0.12) were divided into four treatment groups with each of 3 replicates and feed were given to the experimental fish 3 times daily at the rate of 3% body weight throughout the experimental period. The result showed that there was no significant difference at p< 0.05 in the water quality parameters between treatments. Highest crude protein value of 62.78% was recorded in fish fed with 40ml phytase (PTA) and the least value of 44.56% was recorded in the control experiment (TD). PTA has the highest concentration of ammonia 4.5mg/l, while 30ml phytase (PTB) has the lowest value of 0.4mg/. Treatment with 40ml phytase has the highest potassium concentration of 1.5mg/l while PTB has the lowest value of 0.7mg/l. Addition of phytase to fish feed increased the concentration in the bone and the whole body.