Growth and Feed Conversion of Juvenile Heterobranchus longifilis Fed Live Oreochromis niloticus with or without Artificial Feed |
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| Authors: | Chukwuma Okereke Ofor Uruemuesiri Esther Odin |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeriachukofor@gmail.com;3. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria |
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| Abstract: | Growth and feed conversion were monitored in triplicate groups of the African catfish Heterobranchus longifilis (mean weight 11 ± 1.8 g) fed small (2.5–5.54 cm) tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and artificial feeds at various rates (treatments 1, 2, and 3), and tilapia or artificial feed (treatments 4 and 5, respectively). Artificial feed was a 42% crude protein commercial pellet. Live O. niloticus were fed at a rate of 4 g live tilapia/catfish/day. Pelleted feeding rate was 2%, 1%, 0.5%, and 1% of body weight thrice daily in treatments 1, 2, 3, and 5, respectively. After 70 days, mean weight was 180 ± 9.5 g, 157 ± 15.7 g, 147 ± 2.6 g, 77 ± 10.9 g, and 74 ± 10 g, in treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Treatment significantly affected SGR (% day?1) (P < 0.03) and pelleted feed conversion ratio (P < 0.0003). FCR was 1.09 ± 0.01, 0.63 ± 0.08, 0.42 ± 0.11, and 1.12 ± 0.13 in treatments 1, 2, 3, and 5, respectively. Profit was highest (P < 0.01) in treatment 2. Tilapia consumption seems to improve utilization of artificial feed and may be a way for some catfish farmers to save money. |
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| Keywords: | Polyculture Heterobranchus longifilis supplemental feeding live feed |
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