Growth response of juveniles of <i>Clarias bidorsalis</i> to imported floating feed and cost implication in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Growth response of Clarias bidorsalis juveniles weighing between 5 - 10 g that were fed with extruded (floating) imported feed known as coppens were investigated for 84 days. In a simple experiment, 500 juveniles of C. bidorsalis were stocked in four experimental tanks with a dimension of 0.93 × 1.2 × 0.98 m and water capacity of 1000l each containing 125 juveniles. These juveniles were fed with extruded feed. Given at two feedings daily at 8.00 and 18.00 h, growth performance were monitored using: weight gained, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio. Results showed that C. bidorsalis juveniles increased in weight during the experimental period with a total weight gain range of 50 - 450 g and a mean weight gain of 242 g. Although the feed enhanced growth, the cost implication of the feed was exorbitant for the culturist. A development of a cheap and affordable feed is  advocated in order to reduce cost of fish production.

Key words: Clarias bidorsalis, growth, weight-gain, cost implication.