Effects of background tank colour on the growth and survival of juvenile Heterobrachus bidorsalis fed coppens and Tamarindus indica meal

Abstract

A 6-month semi-intensive mono-culture experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different tank colours /feed types on the production of Heterobranchus bidorsalis juveniles of average weight (0.68g±0.25g). Five culture tanks with different colours made of plastic material, having the same surface area and volume were used. The fish were fed 45% protein of two different meals (coppens commercial floating pellets, and Tamarindus indica meal) at 10% body weight twice daily throughout the experimental period. Production parameters were used to determine growth (feed utilization) as well as survival rate with coppens feed producing the best overall results for growth followed by T. indica meal. There was significant relationship (P < 0.05) in growth parameters of the fish in all the treatments. However, the best overall results were obtained in black tanks for all feed types compared to other tank colours as well as survival rate which have advantages for fish culture compared to other colours.

Keywords: Tank colour, Survival rate, Growth, Juvenile heterobrachus bidorsalis