EFFECT OF LIVE MAGGOT ON GROWTH OF THE NILE PERCH, Oreochromis niloticus (CICHLIDAE) IN SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Analysis of the housefly (Musca domestica) larvae (maggot), showed high content of protein, when combined in diet with farm by-product. Wheat offal and the maggot, at a ratio of 4:1 recorded higher growth rate or body weight gain of 3.62% per day and better feed conversion rate of 4.15 than when the wheat offal was fed singly. The maggot can be cheap source of protein for fish farmers. KEY WORDS: Live maggots, Nile perch, Nigeria, fish growth, protein source.