Author(s): Umaru J, Auta J, Oniye S J, Bolorunduro P I

Abstract: A six months study was carried out to evaluate the effects of three commercial floating feeds (Coppens, Chi, and Dizengoff) on growth parameters and economic profitability of Clarias gariepinus juveniles in six floating bamboo cages (1m3). Clarias gariepinus juveniles with average mean weight of 135.5g were randomly stocked at 50 fish per cage/treatment. The feeding treatments were replicated twice. In each cage, 10% of the fish were sampled and weight monthly to determine growth. On termination of the experiment at 185 days, growth performance, feed utilization and economy of feed and weight gain (EWG) were evaluated. Physico-chemical parameters were within suitable range for Clarias gariepinus culture. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in initial weight, mean/percentage weight gain, and specific growth rate (SGR). There was significant differences (P<0.05) in growth per fish per day, food conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and final weight. Fish fed Chi, had final individual average weight of 898.76g, FCR of 0.79, 81% and gross fish production of 72.8kg, was considered best on the basis of cost benefit analysis which showed that it gave the least and thus best EWG of 0.52, and highest profit index of 2.57. Economically, Chi feed is recommended for production of Clarias gariepinus in cages.

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