Effect of various supplementary feedings on growth of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in concrete ponds

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect different supplementary feeding of wheat flour, noug cake and maize flour on the growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus in concrete ponds at Zeway fisheries resources research center. The feeding trial was conducted in three ponds of having a surface area of 35m 2 each for seven months between July 2012 and January 2013. All the experimental and control group were run in triplicate with stocking density of 3fish/m 2 . The supplemental feeds were agreed at 5% of the fish body weight with respective test feeds and the control group was without any supplemental feed. The initial weight (33.3gm) and length (12.5cm) of O. niloticus, in all treatments was not noted as statically different. The results of study indicated that, the final weights were significantly different among the treatments. Generally, fish fed with supplementary feeds grew significantly higher than the unfed (Control group) group (ANOVA, P<0.001). Similarly, growth of the fish fed with wheat flour + noug cake (WF+NC) showed significantly higher growth performance than the fish fed with maize flour + noug cake (MF+NC) (ANOVA, P<0.05). Fish rose in WF+NC (0.35 g/day) demonstrated better growth rate than MF+NC (0.15g/day). Variation in growth rate between fed treatments and unfed treatment as well as among fed treatments might be attributed to both direct and indirect effects of supplementary feeds given to the fish. Direct intake of feeds by the fish provides more nutrients resulting in better growth and production.