Investigation on Food Source to Substitute Commercial Feed in Aquaculture

Abstract

Man’s unquenchable need for food, combined with his limited financial means, fuels the never-ending hunt for a low-cost, acceptable feed that promotes good fish growth. This search inspired the research of the growth parameters of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) fingerlings in static aquaria for 11 weeks on a commercial diet, cockroach feed, and fowl droppings. With the exception of temperature (p>0.05), all water variables were within acceptable ranges throughout the research. Regardless of protein level, no treatment had a significant effect on fish development (p>0.05). The lack of substantial fish growth (p>0.05) demonstrates the importance of additional growth factors in the cockroach diet, such as lipids, fiber, and carbohydrates. On the other side, commercial feed had the highest mean weight gain (18.42±13.12 g), average length (11.83±7.71 cm), average weight (17.00±13.92 g), and specific growth rate (0.360.15). Following that is the fish-fed cockroach (mean gain of 13.70±9.78 g, mean length of 9.87±5.94 cm, mean weight of 12.77±10.31 g, and specific growth rate of 0.34±0.14). On the other hand, fish-fed chicken droppings grew at the slowest pace (mean length (11.8±3.71 g), mean weight (17.00±13.92 g), and specific growth rate (0.360.15%). Additionally, cockroach feed had the highest survival rate (90 %), followed by commercial feed (83.33 %) and fowl droppings (66.33 %). Because the cockroach scores locally and is readily available and is less expensive, it can take advantage of pricey commercial feed without significant growth. Without a doubt, cockroach feed is a feasible meal substitute for commercially produced feeds for low-income people.