Economic Evaluation of Using Different Water Sources in the culture of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus; Burchell, 1822) at Ediba-Qua, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the economic use of different water sources in the culture of the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus; Burchell 1822) at Ediba-Qua, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria using standard appropriate techniques. Results obtained showed that cost of feeding increased significantly  at (p < 0.05) with growth rate and weight gain in fish reared in borehole water having the highest cost (₦ 21617.86 ± 31.77) and least in rainwater (₦ 13635.93 ± 48.16). Profit index was highest in C. gariepinus reared in borehole water (16.99 ± 0.70), and least in stream water (15.74 ± 0.42) indicating that borehole water is the best water source for C. gariepinus with regards to profitability. This study has shown that fish farmers and fish intending farmers who are challenged by borehole water supply for fish culture can alternatively harvest rainwater or collect stream water to rear fish that could be utilized at a subsistent level.