Abstract

An investigation was carried out to compare the effect of feeding yeast single cell protein (SCP) on the growth and feed utilization parameters of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus cultured separately. The parameters investigated include the percentage weight gain (PWG); feed conversion ratio (FCR); specific growth rate (SGR); and condition factor (CF). The findings indicate that for C. gariepinus fingerlings optimum growth and nutrient utilization was obtained with 30% SCP substitution of fishmeal while for O. niloticus fingerlings 50% substitution level gave optimum growth and feed utilization. Fishmeal could therefore be replaced with yeast SCP at these levels to cut down on cost of aquafeeds for sustainable aquaculture development of these species.

Key words: Yeast single cell protein (SCP), growth, nutrient utilization, catfish, tilapia.