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Journal of Applied Sciences

Year: 2019 | Volume: 19 | Issue: 7 | Page No.: 725-730
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Authors

Ofonime Edet Afia

Gift Samuel David

Gift Samuel David

Imefon Udo Udo

Imefon Udo Udo

Keywords

Research Article

Studies on the Effects of Feeding Levels on Growth Response and Nutrient Utilization of Heteroclarias (Hybrid Catfish)

Ofonime Edet Afia, Gift Samuel David Gift Samuel David's LiveDNA and Imefon Udo Udo Imefon Udo Udo's LiveDNA
Background and Objective: Feeding level depends on the weight of the fish as well as being influenced by variables such as temperature of the water, dissolved oxygen, time of day, season and other physico-chemical parameters. The growth response, survival and feed utilization of hybrid catfish (Heteroclarias) under different feeding levels were evaluated for 12 months. Methodology: The experiment was carried out at the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environmental Management, University of Uyo, Nigeria using 9 tarpaulin tanks of 1 M3 volume. The study employed completely block design with three feeding levels (FL), 1.0% Fresh Body Weight (FBW) of fish (FL1), 1.5% FBW (FL2) and 2.0% FBW (FL3) as treatments. These were replicated three times at a stocking density of 75 fish m–2. The feeding rate was adjusted monthly with increase in body weight. Sampling of fish was done monthly by draining whole water from all tarpaulin tanks. Results: Result shows that, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) for mean final weight, mean weight gain, specific growth rate and daily weight gain for FL1, FL2 and FL3, respectively. Feed conversion ratio at FL1 was significantly different (p<0.05) from FL2 and FL3. However, protein efficiency ratio showed no significant (p>0.05) difference among the feeding levels. Survival rate showed significant difference (p<0.05) among the feeding levels and the values increased with increasing feeding levels. Conclusion: On the basis of growth response and nutrient utilization data obtained, feeding hybrid catfish (Heteroclarias) at 1.5% body weight per day is recommended for raising hybrid catfish at reduced cost of production.
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