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ABSTRACTS
Growth and economic parameters of the African catfish (clarias gariepinus) fed with commercial and formulated feed was observed for six (6) weeks at the Fisheries farm in the department of Fisheries Agriculture University of Benin, Edo state Nigeria. Fishes were divided into four treatments labeled T1 (Commercial feed with ginger and garlic), T2 (Local feed with ginger and garlic), T3 (Commercial feed without ginger and garlic) and T4 (Local feed without ginger and garlic). T1 and T3 were fed with the commercial feed Aqualis while fishes in T2 AND T4 were fed with formulated feed. A total of one hundred and twenty fingerlings (120) were stocked and were fed twice daily at libitum (8am and 6pm). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the feed intake of the fishes and weight gain of the fish fed with formulated feed. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the survival rate of all the treatments. Cost of feeding was higher in the commercial feed (N3107) while that of the local feed indicated a lower incidence of cost (N1949) and higher profit index (N11.4). There was no significant difference in the growth parameters (P>0.05). This study indicates a possibility for increased growth performance, feed utilization and profitability in the local diets if well formulated. The study suggests the local diet has the potential to be used for catfish culture at a reduced cost. Clarias gariepinus is one of the most farmed fish in Nigeria, if the associated issues of production, especially the issue of feed production and good fingerling supply is tackled it would be safe to say Nigeria would be well on its way to becoming a world exporter of African catfish.
