Evaluation of Formulated Feed of Plant and Animal Origin on the Growth Performance of O. Niloticus in Ponds, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementary feeding on the growth of Oreochromis niloticus in concrete ponds. Two formulated feeds, one with only plant material origin (Noug cake, Brewery waste & wheat bran) and another mix ofplant and animal origin (Fish meal, Brewery waste and wheat bran) with similar protein content were used. The feeding trial was conducted in six concrete ponds of about 50 m2 each. The control and experimental groups were run in duplicate with stocking density of 2 fish/m2. The treatment groups were fed at 5% of their body weight with the respective test feeds and the control group was left without any supplementary feed. The results of the experiment showed that fish given supplemental diets grew much faster (ANOVA, P<0.05) than the control group. Although no significant growth differences were observed between the test feeds (ANOVA, p=0.42), fish raised in mixture of plant and animal origin (0.35 g/day) showed better growth rate than plant origin. Differences in growth rates between the control and test feeds as well as among the test feeds can be attributed to both direct and indirect effects of supplementary feeds given to the fish. Direct intake of feeds by the fish provides more nutrients resulting in better growth and production. Therefore, all supplementary feeds have an impact on the growth of O. niloticus in ponds