Growth performance and survival of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> fry reared under periodic application of salt and washing of nursery tanks

Abstract

The study investigates the growth performance and survival of an induced bred population of Clarias gariepinus by salting and periodic washing of nursery tanks. 15,000 fry were obtained and randomly distributed into four treatments with three replicates each. The fry were stocked at 1000 fish/tank (0.6 x 0.25 x 0.5m3). T1 has no salting nor washing, T2 salting only, T3 was a tank with washing only while T4 was a tank with salting and washing. The results showed the fish reared in T3 performed much better than those in T2. The fish in T4 has the highest final body weight (FBW), mean weight gain (MWG), specific growth rate (SGR), percentage survival and daily growth rate (DGR). All the values of the growth parameters measured in T4 were significantly different (p<0.05) from values obtained in other treatment groups. The FBW, MWG, SGR and DGR of fish in T2 were not significantly different (p>0.05) compared with fish in T1 but significantly (p<0.05) lower than those recorded in T3. It could be concluded that the addition of salt and periodic washing of the nursery tank will positively affect the growth performance and survival of Clarias gariepinus in the hatchery.