Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Institute of Oceanography, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Ndome, C.B., Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; Udo, I.U., Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Institute of Oceanography, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; Nkereuwem, S.N., Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Clarias gariepinus ♂ X Heterobranchus longifilis ♀ hybrids (Commonly referred to as Heteroclarias) grow faster and attain bigger sizes than their genetic parents, hence, its high aquaculture importance in Nigeria. A 12-week feeding trial was conducted in the University of Calabar fish farm to investigate the effect of organic fertilizer and formulated feed on the growth performance of a hybrid clariid catfish (C. gariepinus ♂ x H. longifilis ♀) cultured in earthen ponds. One hundred and twenty fingerlings (1.56±0.09 g) were fed twice daily on MULTIFEED and allowed to acclimatize for two weeks. Ten fingerlings were thereafter randomly selected from the general pool and distributed into each of three pairs of hapas (1×1×1 m), fitted into each of four earthen ponds using the various treatments. DT01 was not given any treatment (control); DT02 was treated with organic fertilizer to enhance natural food production; DT03 was treated with artificial feed only while DT04 was treated with both organic fertilizer and artificial feed all fortified with the basal diet (B). Throughout the experiment, water and soil variables were found to be within the acceptable range for catfish culture. Results showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in weight gain, total length increase and growth parameters for other treatments in comparison with the control experiment. Fish fed a combination of natural and artificial feed performed best followed by those fed artificial feed only while those that were allowed to graze naturally on available food in the pond performed least. It was therefore concluded that Heteroclarias hybrid fingerlings should be cultured in a combined feeding condition for effective growth; better condition factor and maximum productivity. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.
