Valuation of Nutrient Utilization, Protein Requirement and Proximate Assessment of an Ecotype Tilapine ‘Wesafu’ Fingerlings Reared in Earthen Pond

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient utilization, protein requirement and proximate analysis of Wesafu from fry to fingerlings in an earthen pond. The experimental fish were monitored for comparative analysis and growth performance using commercial feed (Coppens® 0.2mm) and wheat flour in formulating feed with 30%, 35%, 40% and 45% crude protein levels. Fry were fed thrice daily at 8am, 12 pm and 4pm with 5% body weight for 8 weeks. Samples of experimental diet and fingerlings were analyzed for proximate composition while growth performance and nutrient utilization of diet were evaluated using growth indices such as Weight Gain (WG), Percentage Weight Gain (%WG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Food Conversion Ratio (FCR), Gross Feed Conversion Efficiency (GFCE), Protein Intake (PI), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER). The results revealed that the highest cumulative weight gain (10.58 ± 0.12) was recorded in fry fed 45% crude protein diet while the lowest (6.58 ± 0.21) was observed in the 30% crude protein diet .There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in specific growth rate, food intake, food conversion ratio, gross food conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio while there were significant differences (DNMRT; ANOVA; df = (n-1); p < 0.05) in weight gain, protein intake. This study indicated that a diet containing 45% crude protein appear to be suitable for rearing Wesafu fry to fingerlings in earthen ponds.