Comparative study of three locally available feeds on the growth and nutritional quality of Oreochromis niloticus juveniles

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three feeds formulated for three fish farming agroecological areas of Côte d'Ivoire on the growth and nutritional quality of Oreochromis niloticus juveniles. Feeds were formulated at 30% crude protein with locally-sourced raw materials available by area. The use of different ingredients at different levels for feeds formulation made variations in the nutritional compositions and costs of the three feeds produced. The average male weight of O. niloticus juveniles, 26.89 ± 2.98-27.35 ± 2.74 g, was stocked at a density of 3 fish/m 2 and was hand fed at 5%-3% body weight two times daily, 6 days per week during 120 days in the triplicate earthen ponds. At the end of the feeding trial, daily weight gain values varied between 1.12 ± 0.08 g/day and 1.21 ± 0.06 g/day and survival rate ranged between 99.44 ± 0.00 and 100%. No significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the growth performance and feed efficiency parameters of juveniles O. niloticus feeding. An increase in crude lipid and gross energy was observed in whole body compositions of O. niloticus feeding with the highest dietary lipid levels. Low-cost locally adapted feeds produced for O. niloticus juveniles growth were competitive and proffer the opportunity to improve availability of local quality feeds in the fish farming areas of Côte d'Ivoire.