Effect of Feeding Frequency on Growth Performance and Feed Utilization of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles

Abstract

Feed remains the single largest operating cost in intensive African catfish culture, and feeding frequency is a critical management practice that influences growth performance and nutrient utilization of Clarias gariepinus juveniles. A total of 135 C. gariepinus juveniles with an initial weight of 31 g were randomly stocked at 15 fish per 150 L hapa in a completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment. The fish were fed once, twice, and three times daily with a commercial diet (Blue Crown, Olam Nigeria Limited; 2 mm pellet size) at 5% of body weight for six weeks. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency ratio (FER), and protein efficiency ratio (PER). Fish fed three times daily (T3) recorded the highest growth performance, with a final weight of 171.33±1.20 g, weight gain of 139.83±1.07 g, and SGR of 4.03±0.02 %/day, followed by T2 and T1. T3 also produced the best feed utilization indices, including the lowest FCR (1.18±0.02) and correspondingly higher FER and PER values. Survival rates did not differ significantly among treatments. Among the water-quality parameters determined using appropriate meters, dissolved oxygen (DO) varied significantly (p < 0.05), being highest in T1 and lowest in T3, whereas electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and total dissolved solids (TDS) showed no significant differences (p > 0.05).