SHORT COMMUNICATION: PERIPHYTON FAUNA AS AN ALTERNATIVE LIVE FOOD IN THE REARING OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS (BURCHELL) FRY

V.N. Nwachukwu-1999

The Israeli Journal of Aquaculture - Bamidgeh, 51(4) : 169-171

Abstract:

Four-day-old fry of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) were fed five types of feed for 28 days. Survival of fry for each type of feed was 60% (Artemia only), 56.7% (Artemia + artificial feed), 50% (periphyton + artificial feed), 46.7% (periphyton only) and 40% (artificial feed only)/ Fry fed Artemia only had a significantly higher growth in weight (p<0.05). Growth and survival in fry fed the combination diets were comparable (p>0.05). The results indicate that periphyton (fauna) can be used partially or wholly as an alternative to Artemia in fish larvae rearing.

(Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibian Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, P.M.B. 1007, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria)

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