Survival rate, feed utilization and growth performance of fingerlings of African catfish, <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (Burchell, 1822), at different stocking densities under dark condition

Abstract

Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus were reared at four different stocking densities in glass aquaria to evaluate the effect of stocking density on survival rate, feed utilization and growth performance. Two hundred fifty five fingerlings were stocked in 25 L volume glass aquaria at a density of 10, 15, 25 and 35 fingerlings in triplicates with mean weight of 35.52±1.23, 34.16±1.63, 35.66±0.37 and 35.67±0.63 g, respectively, for 12 weeks. Weight gain was recorded bi-weekly while water quality parameters were recorded daily. Temperature and pH ranged between 22.63–22.95°C and 7.08 to 7.23, respectively, while dissolved oxygen ranged between 5.45–5.60 mg/L among treatments. The highest survival rate (93.33%) was recorded in treatment with the highest stocking density (treatment IV). Feed Conversion Ratio was 2.51, 12.82, 6.23 and 6.65 for treatment I, II, III and IV, respectively. The final mean weights (±S.E) of the fingerlings stocked at densities of 10, 15, 25 and 35 fingerlings were 43.11±1.06, 36.16±1.84, 43.01±2.83 and 46.80±1.40 g, respectively. The highest mean weight gain (11.13 g) was recorded in treatment stocked with 35 fingerlings. Specific growth rate was 0.230, 0.067, 0.223 and 0.323%/day for treatment I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The results revealed that fingerlings treated at the highest stocking density exhibited higher survival and growth rate than those with lower densities. It is concluded that wild fingerlings of C. gariepinus can be used as seed for aquaculture farms.