Effect of feeding frequency on the growth, food utilization and survival of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using locally formulated diet

Abstract

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of different feeding frequency on the growth, food utilization and survival of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using locally formulated feed. Duplicate group of fish with a mean initial wet weight of 4.18 ± 0.1g and length of 7.3 ± 0.2cm were stocked in glass aquaria measuring 96 cm x 50 cm x 29 cm and fed at 5% body weight using locally formulated feed at different frequencies (once/daily, twice/daily and thrice/daily). Growth performance evaluated using weight gain (g), length gain (cm), growth rate, specific growth rate, mean growth rate varied significantly (P<0.05) with feeding frequency. Fish fed twice daily gave the best performance. Food utilization and percentage survival showed no significant (p>0.05) variation in fish fed at different frequencies. It is therefore concluded that to optimize growth performance in C. gariepinus using locally formulated feed, feeding frequency of twice daily should be employed and this will also be effective in minimizing water quality deterioration, feed wastage and production cost.