Comparative studies of the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed commercial feedstuff and live zooplankton

This study on the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed separately on zooplankton, coppens, aquaculture feed and a combination of Coppens and zooplankton lasted for 8 weeks. Ninety (90) three-week old Hatchery bred fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus used for the study were acclimated for three (3) days in a concrete tank measuring 1m x 1m and fed with fish meal, before commencement of the experiment. The fingerlings were grouped in tens into 9 concrete tanks measuring 1m x 1m x 1m. These tanks were further grouped into threes to give three treatments labelled A₁ - A₃, B₁ - B₃ and C₁ - C₃. Treatment I (A₁ - A₃) were fed with zooplankton, Treatment II (B₁ - B₃) were fed zooplankton and 3% body weight of coppens, while Treatment III (C₁ - C₃) was fed with 5% body weight of coppens only. Zooplanktons used were mainly rotifers, branchionus and Cyclops. Total length and weight of fish were measured weekly and used as growth indices. Data collected were analyzed using one way Analysis of variance and means separated by Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Results from the study revealed that Treatments II and III were not significantly different from each other (P>0.05) for both length and weight, but were different from Treatment I (P<0.05). Based on the result, Treatment II is preferred and is recommended, for use, as zooplankton feed supplement helps to reduce cost of production and still ensure optimal production.

Bibliographic Details

Main Author:	Ekelemu, J.K.
Format:	conference_item biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	FISON 2012
Subjects:	Aquaculture, Ecology, Clarias gariepinus, Nigeria, Delta State, Zooplankton, Coopens, freshwater environment, Growth rate, Freshwater fish, Feeding, Artificial feeding, Fingerlings, Fish culture, Food organisms,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/38844
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!