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Published:
Apr 20, 2011Keywords:
Feed cassava maize hybrid catfish aquaculture
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Performance and survival of hybrid catfish (hetero x clarias) fed with whole cassava root meal as a replacement for maize
Abstract
This trial was conducted to assess the possibility of replacing maize (Zea mays L) with varying levels of whole cassava (Manihot esculent crantz) root meal (WCRM) in the diet of hybrid catfish (Heterobranchus, bidorsalis x Clarias gariepinus). The effect of replacement on growth variables and
nutrient utilization of the WCRM as a replacement for maize were also determined. Four practical diets with varying replacement levels of maize at 0 (Ao), 33 (B33), 66(C66), and 100% (D100) were formulated and
fed to hybrid catfish fingerlings for 32weeks. Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight/day. Optimum growth, nutrient utilization of the fish were assessed. The results obtained from the study indicated that
WCRM can completely replace maize with the best result at 66% inclusion. The highest values of growth performance were: final weight 12,782±601.21g, mean weight gain 12041.43±312.66g, and daily weight
gain 78.78±10.28g. The nutrient utilization indicated the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) 1.71±0.40; Gross feed conversion efficiency (GFCE), 68.95±5.161; protein intake (PI), 12975.88±306.11g, protein
efficiency ratio (PER) 1.98±0.11; and nitrogen metabolism (NM) 10782.98±314.12g/100g were recorded in diet C66. However, growth and nutrient utilization variables varied significantly (p<0.05) within the
treatment period. The mean final weight, FCR and PER of the fish fed trial diets were not significantly different (p>0.05) from the control value. Dietary WCRM at 100% inclusion produced similar results in the mean weight gain (MWG), mean daily weight gain (MDWG), Gross Feed Conversion Efficiency (GFCE), Protein Intake (PI), and survival as the control diet. It could therefore be concluded that WCRM can replace maize in the diet of hybrid catfish effectively up to 100% with the optimal performance at 66% level of inclusion. Fish farmers can therefore explore the use of WCRM as an alternative to maize meal in hybrid catfish diet with better profit margins.
nutrient utilization of the WCRM as a replacement for maize were also determined. Four practical diets with varying replacement levels of maize at 0 (Ao), 33 (B33), 66(C66), and 100% (D100) were formulated and
fed to hybrid catfish fingerlings for 32weeks. Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight/day. Optimum growth, nutrient utilization of the fish were assessed. The results obtained from the study indicated that
WCRM can completely replace maize with the best result at 66% inclusion. The highest values of growth performance were: final weight 12,782±601.21g, mean weight gain 12041.43±312.66g, and daily weight
gain 78.78±10.28g. The nutrient utilization indicated the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) 1.71±0.40; Gross feed conversion efficiency (GFCE), 68.95±5.161; protein intake (PI), 12975.88±306.11g, protein
efficiency ratio (PER) 1.98±0.11; and nitrogen metabolism (NM) 10782.98±314.12g/100g were recorded in diet C66. However, growth and nutrient utilization variables varied significantly (p<0.05) within the
treatment period. The mean final weight, FCR and PER of the fish fed trial diets were not significantly different (p>0.05) from the control value. Dietary WCRM at 100% inclusion produced similar results in the mean weight gain (MWG), mean daily weight gain (MDWG), Gross Feed Conversion Efficiency (GFCE), Protein Intake (PI), and survival as the control diet. It could therefore be concluded that WCRM can replace maize in the diet of hybrid catfish effectively up to 100% with the optimal performance at 66% level of inclusion. Fish farmers can therefore explore the use of WCRM as an alternative to maize meal in hybrid catfish diet with better profit margins.
