Growth Response of Heterotis Niloticus (Cuvier 1829) Fingerlings to Artificial Feed and Chicken Manure

Abstract

The study amied at determining the growth response and survival rate of Heterotis niloticus on artificial diet and chicken manure reared in earthen pond system. The experiment was designed as 2 treatment x 12 weeks factorial replicated twice. The fingerlings of H. niloticus were collected from the wild, acclimatised and stocked in an earthen ponds of (200m2) at 50 fish/m2/pond and fed with compounded diet of 30% crude protein and chicken manure for twelve weeks. The body weights were determined bi-weekly using electronic weighing balance. Final mean weight of 32.89±9.10g fish fed with chicken manure and 22.19±2.8g were obtained. Fish fed with chicken manure had a better growth rate. The water quality variables were similar except Dissolved oxygen and Turbididty that shows a sharp difference in culture ponds. The results of the present experiment showed that Heterotis niloticus fingerlings have a different growth performance, under earthen pond system with fish fed with chicken manure having better performance. Therefore, the culture of H. niloticus with chicken manure is recommended for better growth.