EFFECTS OF STOCKING DENSITY ON PRODUCTIONOF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS (TUEGELS) JUVENILESIN FLOATING BAMBOO CAGESAT KUBANNI RESERVIOR, ZARIA,NIGERIA
EFFECTS OF STOCKING DENSITY ON PRODUCTIONOF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS (TUEGELS) JUVENILESIN FLOATING BAMBOO CAGESAT KUBANNI RESERVIOR, ZARIA,NIGERIA
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Date
2011-02
Authors
DASUKI, AWAWU
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Abstract
The African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Teugels) were reared at three different stocking
densities in bamboo-net cages to evaluate the effects of stocking density on growth, survival
rate and food conversion ratio. 300 fish weighing 1.8Kg were stocked at 25, 50 and 75 fish/
m3 cage in a Bi-factorial experimental design with a mean weight of 5.6±0.23g, 5.9±0.23g
and 6.3±0.23 g/m3 respectively. The growth trial lasted for 150 days (May 2009 to October
2009). 20% of the total biomass (weights) of fish in each cage was weighed monthly and the
bulk weights, considering any mortality were recorded monthly. The final mean weights
(±S.E) of the fish stocked at densities of 25, 50 and 75 fish/m3 cage were 828.0±1.83g,
774.0±20.18g and 693.0±34.20g. The corresponding mean values of Specific Growth Rate
were 3.33, 3.25 and 3.43. Temperatures ranged between 24.50C - 32.60C while salinity
ranged between 24 - 95ppm. The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was 4.99, 4.73, and 3.43,
and cumulative survival rates were calculated as 99.84, 99.66 and 99.50% respectively. The
results revealed that stocking density had a significant effect on growth and survival rates of
Clarias gariepinus. Fish held at the highest stocking density exhibited the lowest growth and
survival rate. Cages with 50fish/m3 had the best production economic returns in terms of
final weight (38.67Kg), production cost ( 19,940.95) and profit index (3.27) compared to the other treatments.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA,NIGERIAIN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTERS OF SCIENCE
DEGREE IN FISHERIES
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, FACULTY OF
SCIENCE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA.
Keywords
EFFECTS,, STOCKING,, DENSITY,, PRODUCTION,, CLARIAS,, GARIEPINUS,, (TUEGELS), JUVENILES,, FLOATING,, BAMBOO,, CAGES,, KUBANNI,, RESERVIOR,, ZARIA,, NIGERIA.