Abstract

Compensatory growth in fingerlings and juveniles of Clarias gariepinus was examined after various feeding frequencies. Fish were first fed once, twice, thrice and four times daily over a period of 8 weeks before satiation feeding resumed for 9 weeks. Weekly changes in weight gain, feed intake, nutrient utilization and economy of production were monitored. No significant difference was observed in the feed conversion ratio and voluntary feed intake both at the juvenile and fingerling stages. Fish fed thrice a day recorded the highest mean weight gain but no significant difference was observed across the different feeding frequencies in the juvenile fish. The specific growth rate value of 0.57 and 0.53%/day, observed for the fingerlings and juveniles had the least value in fish fed four times a day. While no significant difference was observed in all economic parameters measured for the juveniles across the feeding levels, on the contrary fingerlings fed once were significantly different having the lowest values from those fed with other feeding levels in the investment cost analysis and gross profit. It can be concluded that at once a day feeding for a period of 8 weeks, a fish can still catch-up with others fed at higher feeding frequencies when returned to satiation feeding.

Key words: Compensatory growth, nutrient utilization, economy of production, feeding frequency.