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Effect of crowding stress on growth performance and carcass quality of Juvenile African catfish (<i>clarias gariepinus</i>) fed varying crude protein levels.
Abstract
The evaluation of the effect of crowding stress on growth performance of juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed varying crude protein levels might be useful in determining the optimal stocking density in relation to optimal dietary crude protein level and consequently better growth performance. The effect of crowding stress on growth performance and carcass quality in C.
gariepinus was investigated. A twelve week feeding trial was conducted to ascertain the effect of two dietary crude protein levels (40 and 45 CP%) and stocking densities (10,15and 20 fish/m3) on growth performance, feed and nutrient utilization, and carcass quality of C. gariepinus juvenile. Fish were reared in plastic tanks (50x30x27 cm) containing dechlorinated water supplemented with aeration. The results showed that growth performance of the test fish reduced significantly (P<0.05) with
increase in dietary protein level and stocking densities. Also, feed and nutrient efficiency was also significantly (P<0.05) reduced at the higher dietary protein and stocking densities. The Feed Conversion Ratio was highest with the highest stocking density (20 fish/m3) fed
40%CP with a mean value of 5.33±1.05, while the lowest stocking density (10 fish/m3)fed 45%CP had the least mean value of 3.97±0.58.
The results of this experiment showed that juvenile African catfish may adjust to crowding stress by improving the feed quality especially the crude protein content.
gariepinus was investigated. A twelve week feeding trial was conducted to ascertain the effect of two dietary crude protein levels (40 and 45 CP%) and stocking densities (10,15and 20 fish/m3) on growth performance, feed and nutrient utilization, and carcass quality of C. gariepinus juvenile. Fish were reared in plastic tanks (50x30x27 cm) containing dechlorinated water supplemented with aeration. The results showed that growth performance of the test fish reduced significantly (P<0.05) with
increase in dietary protein level and stocking densities. Also, feed and nutrient efficiency was also significantly (P<0.05) reduced at the higher dietary protein and stocking densities. The Feed Conversion Ratio was highest with the highest stocking density (20 fish/m3) fed
40%CP with a mean value of 5.33±1.05, while the lowest stocking density (10 fish/m3)fed 45%CP had the least mean value of 3.97±0.58.
The results of this experiment showed that juvenile African catfish may adjust to crowding stress by improving the feed quality especially the crude protein content.
