Influence of feeding regimen on growth parameters of African Catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>, Burchell 1822)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted using 270 African catfish fingerlings to evaluate the effects of different feeding regimen on growth performance of  the fish. The fish were hatched and reared to 12 weeks under similar condition before the commencement of the experiment that lasted for 40 days. Feeding regimens included equally shared feed based on recommended of 5% body weight, and equally spaced feed allocation at 6, 8 and 12 hourly intervals. Each of the three treatment groups comprised of six replicates of 15 fish per plastic tank. Body weight, and two linear measurements (total and standard length) were taken twice weekly on each of the fish in all the tanks and the respective length-weight relationship and condition factor (K) were computed. Weekly gain, final weight, average daily gain, absolute, relative, specific and mean growth rates for the three groups were evaluated and compared. Results showed that all parameters studied except final total length were significantly (P<.05) affected by feeding regimen. The coefficient of determination for all ANOVA had variable values for all growth parameter; Final Weight (83.11%), Absolute Growth Rate (79.19%), Final Total Length (61.30%), Final Standard Length (60.87%), Relative Growth Rate (38.68%), Specific Growth Rate (35.57%), Mean Growth Rate (32.23%) and Condition Factor (12.83%). The 6-hourly treatment group mostly had the highest values across all the parameters studied but was not statistically different (P>.05) from the values obtained in the 8-hourly group.

Keywords: Growth parameters, feeding regimen, fish rearing, Aquaculture