Fecundity studies of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) fed Coppens feed and Unical aqua feed in circular concrete tanks

Abstract

Objective: To determine and compare the fecundity of Clarias gariepinus (C. gariepinus) fed with Unical aqua feed and Coppens feeds in concrete tanks, including the nature of relationship that exist between fecundity and morphometric indices of fish such as total length and total weight. Methods: An experiment was conducted for 6 months in the fish farm of University of Calabar with two triplicate groups of 50 C. gariepinus post-fingerlings. The experimental fish weighing (0.50 ± 0.02) kg were stocked in concrete tanks (circular) of 16.63 m2 area. The tanks were labelled A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 and B3. Fish in tank A1, A2 and A3 were fed with Coppens feed and fish in tanks B1, B2 and B3 were fed with Unical aqua feed. Feeding was done twice daily (9:00 and 16:00) at 3% of their body weight. Results: Mean fecundity of C. gariepinus fed with Unical aqua feed (68 366.67 ± 15 966. 29) eggs varied significantly (P < 0.05) from C. gariepinus fed with Coppens feed (61 833.83 ± 11 692.31) eggs. A linear relationship was observed between fecundity and biometric indices (total length, total weight and ovary weight) of C. gariepinus fed with the two feeds. Food conversion efficiency of C. gariepinus fed with Coppens feed (50.94% ± 0.91%) was insignificantly higher (P > 0.05) than C. gariepinus fed with Unical aqua feed (50.37% ± 1.29 %). Water quality parameters including ammonia (mg/L), pH, water temperature (°C) and dissolved oxygen (mg/L) fell within the recommended range for the culture of fresh water fish. Conclusions: Fecundity of C. gariepinus reared in concrete tank was significantly influenced by the experimental feed. Therefore, on the bases of affordability and availability to farmers, Unical aqua feed is more economical and is recommended as a cost-effective cultivation of female C. gariepinus broodstock.