Effects of Water Replacement rate on Growth and Survival of the Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Fly

Abstract

The influence of frequency of water replacement on growth performance and survival of the Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus fry of mean 1.14g + 0.00 of the same brood stock reared in a static culture was investigated in the laboratory over a period of forty-two days. There were five treatments namely, treatment A = daily water replacement; Treatment B = replacement every two days; Treatment C = replacement every three days; D = every six days replacement. E = No water replacement. The results showed that fry in treatment D performed best while those of E performed poorly. Statistical analysis showed significant difference (P < 0.05) with respect to percentage weight gain and specific growth rate of the fry. There was, however, no significant difference (P > 0.05) when percentage weight gain and specific growth rate were considered between treatments A and E. Generally, it was observed that the less the frequency of water replacement, the better the growth performance and survival rate of the fish fry.


Journal of Aquatic Sciences Volume 15, April 2000, pp. 19-22



KEY WORDS:

Oreochromis niloticus, water replacement, Growth and survival.