The effect of feeding frequency and feeding rate on growth performance of Clarias gariepinus juveniles

Abstract

An 8 weeks growth study was conducted to evaluate the optimal feeding rate and feeding frequency for juvenile Clarias garipinus 25.58±0.02g. 20 fishes were replicated randomly distributed in 27 tanks and placed on a Netherlands commercial catfish diet (coppens). They were fed at 2%, 6% and 10% rates of their body weights, and at frequency of 5, 3 and time (s) daily. Results obtained indicated significant difference (p0.05) in the mean weight gain in values of treatments II, IV, Vii, VIII and IX. While treatment with feeding regime of 6% body weight and once daily feeding frequency gave the poorest growth rate with mean weight gain (1.21g). feed conversion ratio (9.13), specific growth rate (0.96). therefore, for better growth rate, Clarias gariepinus juvenile should be fed 2% body weight given 5 times daily