Growth Performance and Feed Utilization of Catfishes (Clarias Gariepinus) Burchell and Heterobranchus  Longifilis-Geofroy- ST- Hilaire and their Hybrid (Heteroclarias) under Monoculture System

Abstract

This study investigated the growth performance and feed utilization of two catfishes (Carias gariepinus — Burchell, 1822) and Heterobranchus longifilis – Geoffroy-St-Hilaire) and their hybrid (Heteroclarias) reared under monoculture system for a period of twelve weeks. In the monoculture system, each of the species and their hybrid was cultured separately. Fingerlings of mean weight 9.5g were stocked into eight (8 circular) plastic tanks each with an of 14cm and a height of 7cm with 50 liters of water. The fish were fed 3% body weight with 35% crude protein while the control groups were fed with commercial (coppens) feed of 2mm diameter. Feeding was done twice daily at 9.00am and at 6.00pm. The water was changed completely every 72 hours in all the culture systems. The physicochemical parameters were measured once weekly. The growth and nutrient utilization in the different culture groups were determined. The results revealed that there was significance difference (P<0.05) in the growth and nutrient utilization parameters of the two catfishes and their ‘irid. In the monoculture the fishes were fed with the experimental diets, the hybrid catfish a highest mean weight of 177.2g followed by C. gariepinus, 159.4g while H. longifillis had the least 60g. While those fed with the commercial feed, the hybrid had the highest final mean weight of 205.lg C. gariepinus 97.7g and H. longifillis 51.7g.  Data collected from fish weights were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SAS ANOVA procedure. Duncan’s multiple range test was used to compare differences among treatment means. Treatments were significantly different at P<0.05.  The physicochemical parameters were found to be within the recommended range for growth of the fishes.