Effects of background tank colour on the growth and survival of juvenile Heterobrachus Bidorsalis fed with coppens commercial floating pellets and Cyperus esculentus meal

Abstract

A 6-month semi-intensive mono-culture experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different tank colors /feed types on the production of Heterobranchus bidorsalis juveniles of average weight (0.68g±0.25g). Five culture tanks with different colors made of plastic material, having the same surface area and volume were used. The fish were fed 45% protein of two different meals (coppens commercial floating pellets and Cyperus esculentus meal) at 10% body weight twice daily throughout the experimental period. Production parameters were used to determine growth (feed utilization) as well as survival rate with coppens feed producing the best overall results for growth followed by Cyperus esculentus meal. There was significant relationship (P < 0.05) in growth parameters of the fish in all the treatments. However, the best overall results were obtained in black tanks for all feed types compared to other tank colours as well as survival rate which have advantages for fish culture compared to other colours.

Keywords: Feed type, tank colors, Heterobranchus bidorsalis juveniles