Fish nutrition is critical in fish farming because feed represents 40-50% of production cost (Craig and Helfrish, 2002). Growth performance and nutrient utilization of fish is determined by gross composition of the feed ingredients, processing and storage of the feed products. Globally, there is a great decline in aquaculture production, due to fish feed manufacturers substituting vital feed ingredients with alternative feed stuffs that cannot achieve fish nutritional requirements. One of the critical challenges faced by aquaculture is the high cost of fish feeds and more than 50% of the total cost of production is intensified in culture system (Ali et al., 2004). Fish feed enhances optimum growth and resistance to diseases when it contains proper proportion of proteins, carbohydrate, lipids, vitamins and minerals. Nevertheless, nutrients in fish feeds are optimally utilized when the feed stuffs are acceptable and palatable to the fish.  

 

Cost of production can be reduced if growth performance aquaculture (Dada and Olugbemi, 2013). In an attempt to go into feed mill business, many fish nutritionists have formulated and supplied fish feeds to fish farmers without disclosing the gross composition of the fish feeds formulated. In order to ensure optimum growth performance of cultured fish, there is need for farmers to know the proximate composition of the formulated feed. Global attention is needed to address the impacts of various commercial feeds produced by feed millers. However, the culture of African catfish, C. gariepinus has produced optimum crude protein required for growth of the populace. In Nigeria, the farming systems of C. gariepinus have produced means of livelihood for many people in the local communities and have equally generated revenue for the government. Little or no information has been known and reported on gross composition of fish feeds in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of four commercial feeds on growth and nutrient utilization of African catfish, C. gariepinus.

A total of one hundred and twenty C. gariepinus with average weight of 20.20±2.68 g were purchased from Fatutek fish farm, Ashi-Bodija, Ibadan, Nigeria. The fish samples were stocked inside experimental bowl of 40 litres capacity at thirty fish per treatment with ten in each replicate. Before the feeding trial experiment, the fish samples were acclimatized for 14 days in the laboratory. The fish were fed at 5% body weight with Euro (FEFAC aisbi Rue de la Loi, 223 Bte 3 B-1040 Bruxelles Belgium), Melick (75 Orchard Drive Catawissa, PA 17820), Coppens (Dwarsdijk 4 5705 DM Helmond, The Netherlands) and Durante (Nigerwest building, old Lagos road, challenge, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria) and they were allotted treatments (T1), (T2), (T3) and  (T4) respectively. The feeding rates of the fish samples were adjusted weekly after weight measurement of each treatment. The proximate composition of the feed (Table 1) was determined according to the methods described by AOAC (2005).

 

 

The experimental bowls were aerated using an electronic aerator of model PAI. Water samples were collected weekly to determine water quality parameters (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and pH). The pH of the water was determined using a digital pH meter Suntex (model TS-2). Water temperature was measured with mercury in glass thermometer.  The reading was taken by dipping the thermometer in water to a depth of 0.5 m. Other water quality parameters were determined according to the standard methods of American Public Health Association (1992).

 

After the feeding trial experiment, the following nutrient utilization and growth parameters were determined: Mean weight gain was calculated by subtracting mean initial weight (g) from mean final weight (g). Specific growth rate= (lnW₂ – lnW₁) / T₂−T₁ × 100, where W₂ is the mean final weight, W₁ is the mean initial weight and T₂ is the final day of the feeding trial and T₁ is the initial day of the feeding trial. Feed conversion ratio=Feed consumed (g)/Weight gain (g). Protein efficiency ratio=Weight gain (g)/Protein intake. Survival rate=Fish quantity at the end of the experimental period/Fish quantity at the beginning of the experimental period × 100.

 

The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 11, 2001 and Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), Version 8, 2001. Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was used to compare the differences among the means. The significant level was set at 5%.

The water quality parameters investigated in this study are presented in Table 2. All parameters (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and pH) determined were not significantly different among groups (p>0.05). Moreover the values recorded for these parameters were within the recommended ranges for the culture of African catfish, C. gariepinus and experimental fish (Viveen et al., 1986; Loiselle, 1994). Table 3 shows the growth performance and nutrient utilization of C. gariepinus fed different commercial feeds. The results showed that the MWG by T3 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than other treatments. The SGR showed similar level of significance. The SGR of T3 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than other treatments. Dietary crude protein is vital in fish feeds and must be supplied for rapid growth (Jauncey 1982; Lovell, 1989).

 

 

 

The findings of this study revealed that increased  crude protein levels and caloric content of the diet had a significant effect on the MWG and SGR. Tabachek (1986) reported similar findings while investigating the influence of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth, body composition and utilization efficiencies of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L. Statistics further showed that PER of T3 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than other treatments. The significant value of PER in this study was as a result of the level of fat in the diet. This trend was also reported by Murat and  Ibrahim  (2013)  who  studied the effects of different dietary protein and lipid levels and  oil sources on the growth performance and body composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, w.).

 

In contrary to the above trend, the FCR of T2 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than other treatments and T3 was significantly lower than other treatments. It was very clear in this study that FCR decreased with increased crude protein level. This assertion supported the findings of El-Dahhar et al. (2000) reporting the effect of protein and energy levels in commercial diets on growth performance of juvenile nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In the investigation of the growth parameters of the fish samples in this study, it was very apparent in the values recorded that Coppens (T3) gave the best growth performance and nutrient utilization compared with other treatments. This report also agreed with Jamabo et al. (2013), who also reported Coppens to give the best growth performance among other commercial feeds.

In the study, it was established that Coppens gave the best nutrient utilization and growth performance in Clarias gariepinus. By the results, it emerged a need for feed manufacturers to provide information on gross composition of fish feeds. The information provided should be used by farmers to choose the best feed for their fish.