Effect of four feeding rations on the growth performance of african giant catfish <i>Heterobranchus bidorsalis</i> fingerlings

Abstract

Feed ration is one of the important variables considered for the improvement in production of fish. The effects of four feeding rations on growth performance of Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings were investigated for 7 weeks. The specific growth rate (SGR) at 4.0% feed ration was significantly higher than 10.0% feed ration, and there was no significant difference in SGR between 4.0%, 6.0% and 8.0%. The growth performance was best at 6.0 % feeding ration while the best feed utilization was obtained at 4.0 % feeding ration with no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the fish fed at 4.0 % and 6.0 % feeding rations. Based on the results, an intermediate feeding ration between 4.0 % and 6.0 % body weight per day is ideal for adequate growth and development of H. bidorsalis fingerling during culture period.