Effects of culture systems on growth and economic performance of <i>Oreochromis niloticus</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) in concrete tanks

Abstract

The effect of culture system on growth and economics performance of Orechromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) in concrete tanks was investigated. Four outdoor concrete tanks measuring 2.5 x 2 m was used for the study for 24 weeks culture period. The culture systems included the use of algae only at the stocking rates of 4 fishes/m² (T₁), algae plus commercial feed at the stocking rate of 10 fishes/m² (T₂), and commercial feed only at the stocking rate of 20 fishes/m² (T₃). The tanks were stocked with O. niloticus fingerlings with mean weight of 1.160, 1.030 and 0.255 g for T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively. Each treatment was replicated twice. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance and mean comparison was carried out using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). All tests were carried out at 5% probability level. The result on growth performance show that the intensive system (T₁) was significantly different in some growth parameters (P < 0.05) such as yield (0.115, 0.830 and 1.260 kg/m³ for T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively), specific growth (1.975, 2.750 and 3.425% for T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively), survival rate (90, 80 and 91% for T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively), and feed conversion ratio (1.150 and1.030 for T₂ and T₃, respectively). Economically, the intensive system was more profitable with a gross margin of N 122, which was 40% more profitable than the extensive system (T₁ with Gross margin of N 80), and 269% than commercial feed plus algae (T₂ with Gross margin of – N 194). The cost of production (incidence of cost) showed that it cost more (N 447) to produce O. niloticus using commercial feed plus algae (T₂) in concrete tank than the use of algae only (T₁) (N 268) and the use of commercial feed only (T₃) (N380).

Keywords: Culture system, growth performance, economic performance, Oreochromic niloticus

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(27), pp. 4374-4379