A comparative study to evaluate the effect of two commercial diets (Aqualis and Topfeed) on the growth of African catfish Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

The feed trial was carried out in African Inland Fish Farming Limited, Ibeju-lekki Lagos State, Nigeria to assess the growth of Clarias gariepinus fed with two commercial diets. Using a complete randomized design and six treatments separated into T1 and T2, the feed trial was carried out to assess the growth performance of two commercial fish feeds (Aqualis and Topfeed) on Clarias gariepinus for a period of 55 days using circular tarpaulin tanks with a capacity volume of 28.3 m3 marked DS1, DS2, ES1, ES3, ES4, and FS1 stocked with 11,250/tank juveniles with an initial weight of 8.0 g were stocked in each tank. Fish in units ES3, ES4, and FS1 were fed Topfeed whereas fish in units DS1, DS2, and ES1 were fed Aqualis feed. Feeding was done twice daily. All physicochemical parameters were assessed using the Sera Aqua-Test Kit and the dry matter of the two commercial diets underwent chemical analysis. The growth performance parameters revealed that the final mean weight (g), mean weight gain (MWG) (g), specific growth rate (SGR), and survival rate were not significantly different between the two feeds (p>0.05). The results demonstrated that Topfeed outperformed Aqualis feed with a higher survival rate and a feed conversion ratio (FCR) value of (p>0.05). Also, the proximate composition revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) between the two feeds. Based on the findings, it can be said that Topfeed outperformed Aqualis feed for raising C. gariepinus.