Comparative Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings Feedwith Coppens and Dizengoff Feed

Abstract

Growth performance of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus dizengoff feed was carried out as a comparative study with Coppens commercial feed for 28 days in plastic tanks. Two group of 50 finger lings with a mean weight of 1.68 ± 0.4 and 1.64 ± 0.3 g were stocked in two circular plastic tanks, of 30 l capacity labelled D1, and D2. Fish in unit D1 were fed Coppens feed while fish in tank D2 were fed dizengoff feed twice daily at 3% of their body weights. Growth performance indices showed that weight gain (g), growth rate (GR), specific growth rate (SGR) and mean growth rate (MGR) of C. gariepinus fed dizengoff feed was not significantly different (P>0.05) from fish fed Coppens feed. Protein efficiency ratio(PER) for Coppens was 1.60 ± 0.02 and that of dizengoff was 1.40 ± 0.01. Food utilisation indices showed that fish fed dizengoff feed consumed significantly (P 0.05). Proximate analysis of the dry matter of the two experimental feeds showed that moisture content, fat content, crude fibre content, ash content, carbohydrate and Caloric value (C/V) were significantly different (P 0.05). The cost analysis also shows that dizengoff feed is less cost than coppens feed. Physicochemical parameters including water temperature (°C), pH, dissolved oxygen (mg/L) and ammonia (mg/L) were controlled within the acceptable range for fresh water fish culture. Based on these findings, it was concluded that dizengoff has competed favourably with Coppens feed in growth performance and food utilisation of C. gariepinus. Dizengoff feed is recommended on the basis of list cost and affordability as a substitute for Coppens commercial feed for C. gariepinus production.