Nutritional Studies and Development of a Practical Feed for Milkfish ( <i>Chanos chanos</i>) Culture in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract-A study was conducted to find a suitable diet and feeding level for the culture of milkfish (Chanos chanos) in Zanzibar. Two growth trials and one digestibility trial were done. The first growth trial was conducted using 25, 32 and 40% protein diets to determine the optimal level that could be used for the second growth trial on feeding levels. There were no significant differences on feed intake and growth performance of milkfish among the treatments (P<0.896). Body composition analysis showed that fish had more fat (lipid) when fed 32 than 25 and 40% protein diets. The digestibility of protein increased with increasing protein levels: it was 87.3, 92 and 93% respectively. There were no significant differences among the diets (P<0.291). The 32% protein diet was chosen for the second growth trial to test a suitable feeding level. Milkfish were fed at 0, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2 and 4% of their body weight. There was a significant linear relationship (r 2 = 0.79) between digestible energy fed and energy gain, digestible protein fed and protein gain among protein and feeding levels. Protein and energy efficiency were 0.37 and 0.27 respectively. Results of growth, protein and energy efficiency and utilisation indicate that the suitable level of milkfish feeding was 4% of body weight per day when a 32% protein level was used.

Modular system innovation for increasing milkfish production on traditional ponds in Usto village, Mare district, Bone

“…Is defined as the amount of oxygen dissolved in water derived from photosynthesis and absorption from the atmosphere/air (Xu & Xu 2016). Dissolved oxygen in water is one of the water quality parameters that affect the cultivation of organisms in ponds (Mwangamilo & Jiddawi 2003), including milkfish farming (Chanos chanos). Dissolved oxygen largely determines the life of organisms present in a water, especially in the biological function of growth The results of DO measurements were obtained that the DO levels of the three ponds ranged from 7.5-12.5 ppm.…”