Enrichment of the live feed for better growth of catfish larvae (Clarias gariepinus)

Abstract

One of the approaches to improve the aquaculture production is through the enrichment of the live food for the better growth of fish larvae (early life stage). The nutrition uptake of the fish larvae is very important to determine the quality of the adult fish. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of enriched Artemia nauplii on the better growth of the freshwater fish larvae (African catfish, Clarias guriepinus). Besides, measure the water quality in the different culture media and evaluated the survival and growth rate of African catfish larvae. Larvae of Cf arias gariepinus, were fed with Artemia enriched fish oil, palm oil and com oil formulated feed with one control (just the Artemia without enrichment). Feeding protocol was 5 times daily with 15 days intervals. There were three replicates for each treatment, 12 plastics aquarium (20 liter freshwater capacity). The culture site was 2000 of Artemia nauplii per one fish larvae