Growth response of African catfish, <i>Clarias gariepinus </i>(Burchell) to varied protein and lipid levels

Abstract

To study the growth response of African catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>)<i> </i>to the diets containing two protein (30 and 35%<i>) </i>and two lipid levels (12 and 18%) in a closed recirculatory system for 60 days, fish were fed to satiation twice daily. The<i> </i>experiment was carried out in triplicate groups. Fortnightly sampling of fish and water samples was carried out. The best result<i> </i>in terms of growth was obtained with the diet containing 34.62% protein and 12.12% lipid. The protein to lipid ratio<i> </i>was 18.57 in the diet that gave best percentage weight gain. However best survival, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency<i> </i>ratio were recorded in the diet containing 29.86% protein and 18.08% lipid.