Effect of mixed feeding of varying dietary crude protein levels on the growth and feed utilization of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) fingerlings

Abstract

A-56 day growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of mixed feeding schedules of different dietary crude protein levels on growth and feed utilization of fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus. Three experimental diets of 25, 30 and 35% crude protein designated as Low Protein (LP), Medium Protein (MP) and High Protein diet (HP), respectively were prepared using locally available feed ingredients. Four different feeding schedules of High-Protein diet continuously (HP), Medium-Protein diet continuously (MP), Low-Protein diet continuously (LP) and mixed feeding of 1 day Low-Protein/1 -day High-Protein (1LP/1HP) were tested. Fingerlings of mean weight 1.24±0.11 g were stocked in 12 plastic aquaria tanks of 65 L incapacity at 10 fish/tank. Fish were fed twice daily at 3% body weight day-1 and adjusted biweekly according to changes in weight of fish. Fish fed continuously on HP resulted in significantly (p<0.05) the higher growth rate and feed utilization among treatments. However, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the growth rates and feed utilization of fish fed 1-day Low-Protein/1-day High-Protein (1LP/1HP) and those fed continuously on MP. Fish fed continuously on LP had the least growth and feed utilization. This study show that feeding C. gariepinus continuously with 35% CP diet is more economical than the mixed feeding schedule of alternate day feeding of LP and HP diets. © Medwell Journals, 2010.