Growth Response of Clarias Gariepinus (North African Catfish) Under Varying Feeding Rates

In fish farming, feeding rate is an important factor affecting the growth of fish, and thus determining the optimal feeding rate is important to the success of any aquaculture operation. This study which lasted for 99 days investigated the effect of varying feeding rates on the growth response of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. One hundred and eighty fingerlings were randomly distributed into nine experimental tanks giving 20 fingerlings per tank with an initial weight of 5.92±0.006 g. Three feeding rates were employed as treatments – 3%, 5%, and 7% of fresh body weight, with three replicates per treatment. The fishes were fed three times daily with commercial feed (Aller-aqua) of 42% crude protein. Growth and water quality parameters were measured fortnightly and feed ration adjusted according to the biomass in each tank. Results show that Final Mean Weight, Mean Weight Gain, Specific Growth Rate, Performance Index and Protein Efficiency Ratio were significantly higher (p<0.05) in fish fed 7%. However, Feed Conversion Ratio were better at 3% body weight (p<0.05). Based on the growth performance and feed efficiency data obtained, the study suggests the optimum feeding rate of 5% bw/day for African catfish, C. gariepinus fingerlings.