COMPARATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF JUVENILE CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) FED COMMERCIAL DIETS AND MAGGOT MEAL IN RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM

Abstract

This study evaluated the comparative development of juvenile catfish (C.gariepinus) fed commercial diets (Skretting and Aqualis feed) and maggot meal at the Fishery unit, Federal College of Forestry Jos (FCF, Jos), Plateau State Nigeria. One hundred and twenty (120) C.gariepinus fingerlings were purchased at the Fishery unit, FCF, Jos for the experimental study. The experimental trial was conducted within 6 weeks (42days). The experimental set-up comprised three treatments; with each replicated. Data collected was evaluated using ANOVA and mean values were differentiated by the New Duncan Multiple range test at 5% (p≤0.05) probability level. Using the sack method, maggots were cultured from poultry waste and harvested using the floating method with mesh nets; then further processed into powdery form as the maggot meal. The commercial feeds and maggot meal had different proximate compositions; the maggot meal had better nutritional value and content. The C.gariepinus fingerlings in T3 indicated pre-eminent values for the growth parameters with regards to average length (6.90cm); width (6.95cm) and weight gain (0.047kg). Furthermore, the criterion of water quality in the RAS was significant and suitable for production of the juvenile catfish (C.gariepinus). Also, there are variations in the comparative cost of experimental feeds consumed during the experimental trial. This study therefore recommends increased utilization of the maggot meal formulated at 35% crude proteins as the central diet for C.gariepinus fingerlings in RAS; intensification of maggot production and extensive research on maggot meals as fingerlings diets.