GROWTH RESPONSE OF HETEROCLARIAS HYBRID FINGERLINGS FED ON MAGGOT BASED DIET

Transcription

1 GROWTH RESPONSE OF HETEROCLARIAS HYBRID FINGERLINGS FED ON MAGGOT BASED DIET ABSTRACT Omoruwou 1, P. E. and Edema 2*, C. U. 1 Department of Fisheries Technology, Delta State Polytechnic, P.M.B 5 Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria 2 Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. edemaclark@yahoo.com, the larval form of housefly, was used to replace fish meal in three kinds of diets of Heteroclarias hybrid fingerlings in order to determine the growth response and use as alternative diet to pure fish meal. The diets were Diet X (0% inclusion), Y (50% inclusion) and Z (100% inclusion). At the end of 12 weeks, fingerlings fed with 50% inclusion diet recorded the highest mean length (22.70cm), and weight (62.74g) highest protein intake (35.20g) and gross food conversion efficiency (59.52%). The values of increase in percentage weight were % (0% inclusion), % (50% inclusion) and % (100% inclusion). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean weights of fingerlings arising from the three kinds of diet. Specific growth rate was different in all the dietary treatments. Protein efficiency ratio was best in fingerlings fed with 0% diet. Fingerlings fed with Diet Z showed inferior growth (22.54g)and nutrient utilization compared to X (0% ) of 45.04g and Y (50% ) of 49.72g. Thus meal can be successfully used to replace up to 50% fish meal in the diet of Heteroclarias hybrid for optimal growth and nutrient utilization. Keywords: Growth response, Heteroclarias hybrid,, replacement, fishmeal. INTRODUCTION Proper growth of fish depends largely on good nutrition and this is more pronounced with fish in enclosure as they require adequate nutrition. This poses a number of challenges to the fish farmer. Firstly, feed ingredients notably fish meal presently in use is expensive (Akinwande et al., 2002, Dada and Akinwande, 2005). Falaye (1992) estimated the feeding cost to be about 60% of the recurrent cost of fish farming, minimizing the profit margin of fish farmers and negating the economic viability of the fish industry. Therefore the need to use a cheaper alternative available protein feed stuffs in order to reduce the cost of making fish feed is of paramount importance and imperative. Secondly, there is scarcity of fish meal (Eyo, 2003) coupled with consumption of fish by man and competition from other livestock industries leading to higher cost of fish meal (Misra et al., 2003). Most of the fish meal used in the fish farming industry in Nigeria is imported resulting in drain in foreign exchange, thus there is need for sourcing of local alternatives to reduce dependency on imported materials. is chosen for this experimental study because it is a good source of nutrients for fish (Testia and Miller, 1974) and it is not directly eaten by man. It grows easily and extensively on animal dungs, chicken droppings and food wastes and it has high quality protein with amino acids profile showing biological value probably superior to soya bean and groundnut cake (Eyo, 2003). Heteroclarias hybrid which is used in this investigation is increasingly cultured in Nigeria because of its remarkable fast growth rate ( Aluko, 1998), the resistance to diseases and poor environment. The rapid increase in its market demand because of its fleshy and tasty body has added impetus to the aquaculture sector to augment the deficit in the needed sustainable production and supply. This fish is a feeder which is culturable in both indoor and outdoor tanks (Babatunde, 1990). Therefore the use of meal to partly replace fishmeal should significantly reduce the cost of feed and fish production. The aim of this study is to ascertain experimentally the ideal form of replacement of fish meal with meal in the diet of the fingerlings of Heteroclarias hybrid and to reduce the cost of feeding during culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS The feeding trial was carried out in a concrete tank of length (l) 3m, breadth (b) 1.99m and height (h) 1.15m partitioned into three sections using a nylon mosquito mesh net and each section measured l, 1 x b, 1.99 x h,1.15m. The tanks were washed and drained properly before they were stocked. Two hundred and ten (210) fingerlings of Heteroclarias hybrid used for the study were purchased from Idodo-Umeh farm in Delta State. They were acclimatized for six hours and the three sections of the tank were randomly stocked with 70 fingerlings NJAFE VOL. 7 No.1,

2 each to avoid biased selection. The average weight and length of 5 randomly sampled specimens were measured to the nearest 0.1cm using a measuring board and an electronic weighing balance in g respectively. The total weight of stock was calculated. The experimental diet was designed to consist of three different compositions of diets in which the fishmeal component was replaced with 0% inclusion (diet X-control), 50% inclusion (diet Y) and 100% inclusion (diet Z). Other materials used and mixed in the compounded feed formulation according to method prescribed by National Special Programme on Food Security (NSPFS) (2003) include: fishmeal, groundnut cake, palm kernel cake, soya bean, wheat offal, vitamin and mineral premix. These were ground, weighed, blended and pelleted as required small quantities. They were mixed in ratios as provided by NSPFS (2003). Fresh poultry droppings were collected and spread out in the open on empty synthetic sacs and the odour attracted house flies which laid eggs on them. These eggs eventually hatched into larval form called s. The droppings were mixed with requisite water in a plastic bucket and sieved with 16mm mesh size to separate the s which were collected and fed fresh without blending with the pellets to the fish. Eight kilograms of s were produced daily. 4kg of s constituted the 100% feed (diet Z) and the remaining 4kg were in the 50% inclusion meal (diet Y). The fish were fed at 5% body weight in two equal rations daily at 8.am and 4.pm except on weighing days when they were weighed before feeding throughout the study. The rations were adjusted bi-weekly based on the sampled total weight of the fish in each tank (Akinwande et al, 2002) because of fish growth requirement. Duration of the feeding trial was 12 weeks. Fortnightly, a sub sample of 10 fish were randomly selected from each tank and measurements of fish lengths and weight (g) were taken to determine the growth rate in each tank. Proximate composition of experimental diets and carcass was determined according to Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) (1990). Growth response was evaluated from the interplay of parameters computed as follows. Relative growth rate (%) (RGR). = x 100 Where wi = initial wt, wf= final weight, Specific growth rate (%) = Where Log e = natural log Food conversion ratio (FCR) = Total weight sampled (g) Total weight gained (g) Gross food conversion efficiency % =1 / FCR x 100 Protein intake (PI) = food supplied x % crude protein of food Protein efficiency ratio (PER) = Mean weight gain (g) Mean protein intake The data of weights of fish generated were subjected to statistical analysis using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The condition factor (k) qualifying the wellbeing of the fish was calculated with the formula K = W x 100 L 3 Where W = weight of fish in g L = body length in cm RESULTS Proximate analysis of the diets and fish (carcass) The proximate composition of the experimental diet and in the fish sample before and after feeding trial is shown in Table 1. The proximate composition of the experimental diet revealed a protein level within 37.95% 42.15%, the increase in crude lipid from 10.50% at 0% diet to 15.25% at 100% level. There were increases in crude protein, crude lipid and ash content after feeding trial. Crude protein changed from 69.65% to 71.79% in carcass for 0% diet, 71.86% for 50% diet and 71.54% for 100% diet. The crude lipid changed from 4.18% to 4.69% in carcass from 0% diet, 5.02% in 50% diet and 5.48% in 100% diet. The ash content changed from 0.10% to 9.30% in carcass for 0% diet, 9.07% in 50% diet and 9.19% in 100% diet. (Table 1) Growth rate measurement Under the restricted feeding level of 5% of body weight, feed intake was the same in all treatments. The fish actively consumed all rations of the diet, and there was progressive increase in growth of the fingerlings in all the diets. The biweekly variations in mean length (L) of fish are presented in Table 2. The first two weeks showed uniform length growth between 0% fed (diet X) fish and 100% fed (diet Z) fish. The 4 th 8 th weeks showed a shift to a uniform growth between 0% fed and 50% fed (diet Y) fish NJAFE VOL. 7 No.1,

3 while diet Z fish had slight decrease in length. In the 10 th and 12 th weeks, diet Y fish showed the highest growth rate followed by diet X fish, and the least was diet Z fish. The biweekly variations in mean weight are shown in Table 2. In the first two weeks, 0% fed fish showed the least in weight. 50% fed outweighed 100% fed fish during the 4 th week assessment while 0% fed fish (which was earlier the least) weighed more than 100% fed fish. The 8 th 12 th weeks showed 50% fed fish to be the highest in weight growth, followed by 0% fed fish leaving 100% fed fish with the least weight record (Table 2). Table 1: Proximate Composition of diets and Heteroclarias hybrid fingerlings before and after feeding them on diets. Diets Heteroclarias hybrid carcass After feeding Constituent 0% 50% 100% Before Feeding 0% 50% 100% Crude protein % Crude lipid % Ash content % Crude fibre % Moisture % Table 2: Changes in growth rate measurement ( mean values) in experimental fish 0% diet 50% diet 100% diet Weeks L Wt (g) Incr. in wt (%) Ratio L Wt (g) Incr. in Wt (%) ratio L Wt (g) Incr. in Wt (%) ratio The mean wet weight values of the fish revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) arising from the three different diets. Diet X had the maximal increase in percentage weight estimation. At the end of the 12 weeks trial period, the increase in percentage weight was and the weight/length ratio had a value of It was observed that the condition factor 0.76 in the 8 th week declined to There was no mortality. The experimental fish looked healthy and active. Diet Y recorded a relatively good increase in percentage weight. After the 12 weeks trial period, the increase in percentage weight was and the weight/length ratio had a value of It was observed that the fish looked healthy and active but not as much as fish of diet X (0% ). The mean condition factor improved from 0.54 to There was no mortality. Diet Z manifested moderate increase in percentage weight reaching the value of after the 12 weeks trial period. The weight/ length ratio was It was observed that the fish looked less healthy and not as active as fish of diet X and diet Y. The mean condition factor reduced from 0.91 to 0.66 and four of the fish died. Fingerlings of best growth by weight gain (49.72g), best gross food conversion efficiency (59.52%) and protein intake (35.20g) were yielded by the 50% inclusion diet while fingerlings of best specific growth rate (0.84%) and protein efficiency ratio (1.48) were cultured using the 0% diet (Table 3). Nutrient utilization analysis Table 3 shows the nutrient utilization parameters of the experimental fish during the trial period. Diet Y (50% inclusion) had the highest mean weight gain (49.72g) while diet Z (100% inclusion) had the lowest (22.54g). The highest specific growth rate (0.84%) was observed in diet X (0% inclusion) and the lowest (0.51%) was in the diet Z (100% inclusion). Gross food conversion efficiency was highest (59.52%) in fish fed on diet Y followed by those fed on Diet X (56.18%) and lowest (41.15%) was those fish on diet Z. Protein efficiency ratio was also highest (1.48) in diet X(0% inclusion)fish while the least protein efficiency ratio (0.98) was recorded in diet Z (100 inclusion) fish. Protein intake was highest (35.20g) in diet Y fish while the lowest value (23.05) was obtained in diet Z fish. NJAFE VOL. 7 No.1,

4 Table 3: Growth and nutrient utilization parameters of Heteroclarias hybrid Parameters 0% diet 50% diet 100% diet Initial mean weight (g) Final mean weight (g) Mean weight (g) Relative growth rate Specific growth rate Food conversion ratio Gross food conversion Efficiency % Protein intake (g) Protein efficiency ratio DISCUSSION The observation that Heteroclarias fingerlings fed with 0% and 50% diet consumed their ration faster than those fed with 100% diet may suggests chemo- attractant properties such as smell, flavour etc. of fish meal in diets X and Y. (Mary et al, 1988). The proximate composition of Heteroclarias carcass before and after experiment showed an increase in crude protein, crude lipid and ash content at the end of the experiment. This may be indicative of the levels in the various diets intake by the fingerlings as shown in Table 1. But there is justification to believe that s can help to improve growth of catfish, considering recent findings of Akinwande et al., (2002), Dada and Akinwande (2005), Sogbesan et al, (2005) and Sogbesan (2007). Testia and Miller (1974) had reported that s are a good source of protein, essential amino acids and fatty acids. The crude lipid content of the fingerlings increased with rise in inclusion (4.18 % %) with 100% fed having the highest. This was probably due to the lipid content in meal (10.50% diet X 15.25% diet Z). This result is in agreement with the findings of Akinwande et al., (2002) who found 100% meal to have 15.63% crude lipid content. Diet X fed fingerlings had the highest crude protein content (71.86%) and subsequently the fish with best growth rate and look. Calvert et al. (1969) reported that the biological value of protein is close to those of groundnut cake and soya bean meal. Thus combination with them in partial replacement of fish meal is reasonable. A diet of s alone would be unable to supply the fingerlings with all growth requirements. In assessing the differences in growth, fingerlings fed with 100% diet showed the minimum% growth. Probable growth retardation could be due to absence of other essential and vital bulk food ingredients thereby slowing down the weight gain process. Apart from the inadequate mineral content as shown by the lower values of ash, there was relative decline (9.75%) in the fibre content of the meal. According to Steffen (1989) sufficient fibre can enhance growth performance in fish. Akinwande et al. (2002) reported that fish fed with 50% inclusion diet had the highest gross food conversion efficiency. Value-wise, cultured fish products compete with poultry and livestock in the local market. Nutrition-wise, they are probably more efficient in converting food into body tissue then poultry or livestock (Liao, 1988). CONCLUSION The development of a whole series of high quality protein sources in addition to fishmeal will reduce the cost of the finished feed to the fish farmer and ensure that fish farmers in the next decade will receive sustainable relatively stable and high quality feeds from fish feed manufacturers and improve profit margin. This study has revealed that -meal can be successfully used to replace up to 50% fishmeal in the diet of catfish Heteroclarias hybrid in order to achieve optimum growth and nutrient utilization. REFERENCES Akinwande, A. A., Ugwumba, A. A. A. and Ugwumba, O. A Effects of replacement of fishmeal with meal in the diet of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) fingerlings: The Zoologist 1(2) :41-46 Aluko, P. O Growth characteristics of the parental F1, F2 and backcross generation of the hybrids between Heterobranctus longifilis and Clarias anguillaris.west African Journal of Biological Science 8: AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) Official methods of analysis 15 th edn, AOAC Inc. Arlington Virginia, USA. 994pp NJAFE VOL. 7 No.1,

5 Babatunde, A. A Growth and survival of hatchery produced hybrid of Heterobranctus bidorsalis x Clarias gariepinus fry fed on varying protein diets and harvested plankton MSc. Thesis, University of Ibadan. Calvert, C. C., Martin, R. D. and Morgan, N. D Dual roles of houseflies in poultry manure disposal. Poultry Sci. 45: 173 Dada, A. A. and Akinwande, A. A Growth performance of Heteroclarias fed meal at varying inclusion levels FISON Conference Proceedings 896pp Eyo, A. A Fundamentals of fish nutrition and diet development - an overview. In Eyo, A. A. (ed). Proceedings of the National workshop on fish fed development and feeding practices in aquaculture FISON/NIFFR/FAO-NSPFS. 1-33pp Falaye, A. E Utilization of agro-industrial wastes as fish feedstuffs in Nigeria. Proceedings of the 10 th Annual Conference of FISON. Pp47-57 Liao I.C East meets West: An Eastern Perspective of Aquaculture. Paper presented at 19 th Annual meeting of the Wild Aquaculture Society, Honolulu Hawaii. Jan 4-8, pp. Mary, L. N., Senriches and Yvonne, N. Chiu Effect of fishmeal on growth, survival and feed efficiency of milkfish (Chanos chanos) fry. J. Aquaculture 71: Misra, C. K., Das, B. K. and Mohanta, K. N Feed management in aquaculture. Fish farmer International File 17(1): NSPFS (National Special Programme on Food Security) Food pond construction and management Technological information materials from NSPFS rural aquaculture training workshop in Nigeria ( Kaduna, Bauchi, Kastina-ala, Owerri, Iguoriaki and Akure) Sogbesan, A. O Performance of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings fed meal-based diets in miniflow through system FISON Conference Proceedings. 412pp. Sogbesan, A. O., Ajuonu, N. D., Madu, C. T., Omojowo, F. S. and Ugwumba, A. A. A Growth response, feed conversion rate and cost benefits of hybrid catfish fed meal-based diets in outdoor tanks FISON Conference Proceedings. 896pp Steffen, W. (1989). Principles of fish nutrition. Ellis Horwood Ltd. Uk 384pp Testia, J. S. and Miller, B. F. (1974). Nutritive content of housefly pupae and manure residue. Poultry Sci. 15: NJAFE VOL. 7 No.1,