Abstract
An experiment was conducted to compare the growth and economics of producing Clarias gariepinus in ponds (6.4x5.4x1.5m 3 ) and tanks (2.5x1.1x1.2m 3 ) for 56days. Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus (mean weight, 1.80g and body length, 4.40cm) were stocked at 250 and 50 fish separately into each pond and tank in duplicates. Fish were fed a commercial feed containing 45% crude protein at 5% body weight. It was divided into two halves and fed at 1000 and 1600hours daily. At final harvest, the total yield of fish was significantly greater (P 0.05) in mean weight gain (13.75+0.95g, 13.44+0.95g), condition factor (0.92 +0.03, 0.91+0.03) and feed conversion ratio (0.56+0.01, 0.51+0.01) between fingerlings stocked in pond and tank. Fish in pond had higher percentage weight gain and specific growth rate while survival rate ranged 74.11+0.54-88.80+0.54% in the culture media. Net profits obtained were N4300 (pond) and N2250 (tank). The benefit: cost ratio was higher for tank (1.38) than for pond (1.19). The pond environment appeared more productive while the tank was more economical with higher benefit in this study.
Highlights
Fish farming in Nigeria has progressed steadily over the years
Total fish yield and percentage weight gain were higher in pond than values obtained for fish in the tank situation
Clarias gariepinus is an economically important fish and its culture should be encouraged because it attracts premium price and is accepted by consumers
Summary
Fish farming in Nigeria has progressed steadily over the years. The size of operation varies between 0.020.20ha for small-scale earthen ponds, 25-40m2 for homestead concrete tanks and 3ha and above for commercial farms (FDF, 1990). Production estimate was put at 1ton/hectare/year for small-scale ponds. These productions were achieved by using low input semi-intensive culture level in homestead ponds and commercial fish farms in Nigeria (FDF, 1996). In Africa, especially in Nigeria, the species mostly cultured are Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus sp. Adebayo and Adesoji (2008) reported that Clarias gariepinus cultured in earthen pond had a high yield The reasons for their culture are based on their fast growth rate, disease resistance, high stocking density, aerial respiration, high feed conversion efficiency among others (Adewolu et al, 2008). Adebayo and Adesoji (2008) reported that Clarias gariepinus cultured in earthen pond had a high yield
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