By: Dr. Christian Larbi Ayisi.
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of stocking of Bagrid catfish on growth performance, feed utilization, proximate composition and water quality. Fish of average weight of 7.34±2.36 g were stocked in triplicates at densities 20 fish/m3 (SD 20), 40 fish/m3 (SD 40), 60 fish/m3 (SD 60) and 80 fish/m3 (SD80). Fish were fed twice a day to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. The results showed that growth performance parameters including final length, final weight, SGR, %WG, WG, ADWG, ranged from 52.98±1.22 to 70.18±1.96, 18.34±0.12 to 19.85±0.21, 3.91±0.02 to 4.20±0.02, 596.2±25.96 to 922.9±40.29, 41.25±1.67 to 63.08±1.94, and 0.73±0.02 to 1.12±0.03, respectively. The highest growth values were obtained in group SD and the least values were obtained in group SD 80. For FCR, PER, and FE best values were also recorded in group SD 40. Condition factor increased with stocking density but only from density SD20 to SD 60 and decreased at SD 80. From the study, it showed that stocking density affected feed utilization and growth of fish but not water quality as water quality parameters were not significantly different among treatment except for nitrate but were all within acceptable ranges for fish culture. There was significant difference in coefficient efficient variation of final weight. There was no significant difference in proximate composition among groups. Stocking density had significant effect on nitrate content (P<0.05). Proximate composition was indifferent irrespective of the stocking density. For optimum growth and feed utilization, this study recommends 40 fish/m3 as the best stocking density for Bagrid catfish.
Keywords: Bagrid catfish, coefficient of variation, growth performance, feed performance, water quality.