Effects of two feeding rates on the growth performance and survivability of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed on Skretting fish feed

Two feeding rates; 5% body weight and feeding to satiation were evaluated to determine their effects on the growth performance and survivability of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. The objective of the study was to determine which feeding rate was more beneficial to the fish farmer in terms of fish weight gain, length gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and survivability of the catfish fingerlings. The study was carried out with 600 Clarias gariepinus fingerlings of mean weight 2.23 ± 0.10 g and mean length 6.58 ± 0.01 cm kept in six 1 m3 rectangular tanks labeled A to E and containing 100 fingerlings each. Fingerlings in tanks A, B and C were three replicates fed with 1.8 mm Skretting fish feed at 5% body weight while fingerlings in tanks D, E and F also three replicates, were fed to satiation with the same feed for 30 days. Water quality parameters; temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen were monitored. Body weight, length, and survivability were recorded every 5 days at 0, 5, 10,15, 20, 25, and 30 days. Results showed that water quality parameters and survival rates did not significantly differ(p>0.05) between the 5% body weight feeding rate group and the group fed to satiation. The average weight gain (26.11± 3.65 g), length gain (6.11± 0.20 cm), specific growth rate (5.96 ± 0.15%) and feed conversion ratio (1.1) of the 5% body weight feeding rate group differed significantly (p< 0.05) from those of the group fed to satiation; 16.16 ± 3.04 g, 4.44 ± 0.40 cm, 4.58 ± 0.17% and 1.3 respectively. It was concluded that feeding fingerlings by 5% body weight was of better economic importance to the fish farmer and was therefore recommended to be practiced for profitability and sustainable fish culture development.