Cost-effectiveness, feed utilization and body composition of african sharptooth catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>, Burchell 1822) fingerlings fed locally formulated and commercial pelleted diets in tarpaulin tanks

Abstract

Cost-effectiveness, food utilization and proximate composition of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed locally formulated (sinking) and commercial (floating) diets in tarpaulin tanks were observed for 56 days. Ninety (90) C. gariepinus fingerlings with initial mean weight (72.99 g ± 3.09) per treatment were observed during the period with three replicates at a stocking density of 15 fish per m2. The fish were fed 5% body weight three times daily. Results showed that C. gariepinus fingerlings fed floating diet had significantly lower (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (0.83 ± 0.03) than sinking diet (3.23 ± 0.40). Protein efficiency ratio was significantly (p<0.05) higher in fish fed commercial diet (2.69 ± 0.09) than locally formulated (0.80 ± 0.11). Specific growth rate was significantly (p<0.05) higher in floating (3.29 ± 0.07) than sinking diet (0.97 ± 0.20). Incidence cost was lower (₦1,989.65) in fish fed commercial diet than locally formulated (₦3,819.63). The profit index was higher in C. gariepinus fed floating diet (0.74) than sinking (0.19). From these findings, floating (commercial) feed is recommended for feeding C. gariepinus fingerlings since it showed better food utilization, better proximate composition of the carcass, higher profit index and consequently lower incidence cost.

Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, cost-effectiveness, sinking feed, floating feed, incidence cost.