Fecundity studies of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) fed Coppens feed and Unical aqua feed in circular concrete tanks

Effects of Weevil Infested Feed on the Fecundity and Gonadal Development of the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL 1822)

“…Findings of the present study agrees with findings of those of [19] and [20] who reported that utilization of high quality feed will lead to growth of ovaries and increase in fecundity of C. gariepinus. A linear relationship was obtained between fecundity and body parameters (total length, body weight, ovary weight, and mean egg diameter) of C gariepinus fed the two experimental feeds.…”

“…Fecundity of the African Catfish (C. gariepinus) have been documented by different authors to be affected by feed type and quality [2], [19] and [20]. Results of this study agrees with findings of other authors including [2], [19], and [20] that fecundity of C. gariepinus can be affected by feed. In this study, results showed that fecundity of C. gariepinus fedthe control diet ranged between 22,400 eggs to 31,500 eggs with a mean of 27,440 ± 670.03 eggs while fecundity of fish fed weevil infested feed ranged between 14,700 eggs to 23,100 eggs with a mean of 19,100 ± 654 eggs.…”

“…For fish fed feed B (weevil infested feed), there was a positive significant (P<0.05) relationship between fecundity and ovary weight, and mean egg diameterwhereas total length and total weight showed a negative relationship. The significant relationship obtained in this study is similar to findings of [19] and [20] for C. gariepinus fed Coppens and Unical Aqua feed in earthen pond and concrete tank.In fisheries science, gonadal development in fish is commonly evaluated using gonad weight and gonadosomatic index which is the ratio of gonad weight to body weight. According to [2], gonad development in C. gariepinus could be significantly affected by feed quality.…”

“…In aquaculture and fisheries science, fecundity is considered as a very important aspect of fish culture system because it is the number of eggs carried by a gravid female fish and is also related to the average reproductive trait of fish [19]. Fecundity of the African Catfish (C. gariepinus) have been documented by different authors to be affected by feed type and quality [2], [19] and [20]. Results of this study agrees with findings of other authors including [2], [19], and [20] that fecundity of C. gariepinus can be affected by feed.…”

“…One of the threats undermining the growth of aquaculture in Nigeria is ineffective management of aquaculture feed such as poor storage and unhygienic conditions leading to insect infestation on the feed. Presently, the impact of global pandemic (Covid- 19), unstable and fragile Nigerian economy has resulted on importation restriction of goods and services such as foreign feed. However, fish feed importers that have clearance to import undergo strict and difficult screening and highly expensive procedures for their goods.…”