Author(s): Salami SR, Awoniyi OO, Balogun AT and Raimi CO

Abstract: The study examined the effects of three concrete tank shapes: rectangular, square and circular, on water quality, growth performance and economic viability of hybrid catfish (Heterobranchus bidorsalis) juveniles in semi-intensive conditions. The experiment was conducted over a 182-day period, 1st October, 2024 to 31st March, 2025, using a uniform stocking density of 25 fish/m3 with 100 fish per tank. Results revealed that fish reared in circular tanks demonstrated superior growth (mean final weight 863.05±21.22g), better feed conversion ratio (1.77±0.11), and high survival rate (97.00±1.73%) compared to fish in rectangular and circular concrete tanks. Result on water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrite and nitrate concentration were within acceptable ranges of 27.35±0.01-28.60±0.03°C, 7.07±0.01-7.68±0.02, 6.12±0.23-7.24±0.03 mg/l, 0.03±0.01-0.07±0.01 mg/l and 17.39±1.46-33.46±1.09 mg/l for rectangular concrete tank, and 27.35±0.01-28.55±0.04 °C, 7.11±0.01-7.66±0.03, 6.35±0.04-7.22±0.03 mg/l, 0.06±0.00-0.23±0.01 mg/l, 20.93±1.99-36.78±0.62 mg/l for square concrete tank, and 27.35±0.04 - 28.37±0.01°C, 7.06±0.03-7.75±0.01, 6.41±0.01- 7.25±0.03 mg/l, 0.05±0.01-0.21±0.01 mg/l and 19.02±1.22- 33.19±1.37 mg/l respectively. Economic viability favored the circular tank with the highest BCR (1.63±0.08) and profitability index (62.87±8.43%), indicating better cost efficiency. These study emphasize the importance of tank geometry in aquaculture design, especially for optimizing growth and maximizing returns. Circular concrete tanks are therefore recommended for efficient production of hybrid catfish.

DOI: 10.22271/fish.2025.v13.i6b.3189

Pages: 145-151  |  116 Views  64 Downloads

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