DEPARTMENT OF AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES

This study investigated the growth performance of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus ) fry raised with a commercial feed (Coppens) and a farm made feed. Three treatments were used with three replicates per treatment. A total of 1800 fry were obtained and the experiment was conducted for a period of four weeks using experimental plastic bowls, with 200 fry per bowl. The water quality parameters (Temperature, pH, Ammonia content, Dissolved oxygen) were recorded and were within acceptable range. The effects of different diets on specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate (SR) and feed utilization were determined. Among the various experimental feeds, Treatment 1(Coppens) produced a better result compared to the others in terms of weight gained and specific growth rate. The lowest growth performance was with fry in Treatment II (Fry fed farm made feed). Estimated cost of feeding was higher in farm made feed and combined feed (N5,260), with lowest values occurring in fry fed with it Coppens (N4,600). During the experiment Coppens performed better than the other experimental feeds, it showed a higher survival rate and low pollution level. It also showed a better feed
utilization and the highest performance index..