Effects of Dietary Palm Oil Levels on Growth and Survival of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> fingerlings

Abstract

Feeds containing varying palm oil levels were fed to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings of mean weight 0.88g and mean length 4.50cm for 8 weeks to determine the effect on growth and survival. The highest weight gain (2.24 + 0.31g), specific growth rate (1.08 + 0.26% day^-1), condition factor (0.77 + 0.09), feed conversion ratio (4.46 + 0.14) and protein efficiency ratio (0.122+ 0.21) were obtained in C. gariepinus fingerlings fed 9% palm oil diet. These values were significantly different (p < 0.05) from those fed other diets. The mean survival rate of fish for all diets varied between 39.17+ 5.91% (3% oil) – 65.42 +5.91% (18% oil). The observed water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, NH_3-N and total hardness levels in the culture media were within acceptable ranges. Diet with 6% palm oil was the most economical with N19.01/g. weight gain and followed by diet with 9% palm oil (N22.55/g. weight gain). The lower growth response for 0% oil diet probably indicated that catfish needs oil in its diet to improve growth.

Key Words: Palm oil, diet, growth, survival, Clarias gariepinus