Gross Chemical Composition Of Some Pond Raised And River Fishes In Nigeria

Abstract

The proximate analysis of clariid catfishes (Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus bidorsalis) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from pond and river sources was carried out and compared to ascertain their gross chemical composition. Fish samples were collected from a private fish farm and a river at Effurun and Ogbijo, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. The samples were subjected to proximate analysis and such parameters as crude protein, fat, ash, carbohydrates (CHO), and some minerals such as calcium and magnesium determined. Two samples of fish were collected from river and pond sources and analyzed. The students\' t-test was used to test for significant differences. The result showed that fat and calcium were significantly higher in pond raised catfishes than in
river catfish while Ash, and Magnesium were significantly higher in river fish than the pond raised fish (P<0.05). All the fishes were low in Nitrogen free extract and not significantly different among species and source (P>0.05). River fishes are known to hunt for their food
and as such burn a lot of energy, which could have been used for growth and stored as fat. Pond raised fishes were therefore recommended as a better source of rich protein and fatty acid for human consumption.

Keywords: Fishes, proximate analyses, pond, river

Tropical Freshwater Biology Vol. 16 (2) 2007: pp. 27-33