FEEDING FREQUENCY AND FEEDING REGIMES IN CATFISH; EFFECT ON NUTRIENT UTILIZATION GROWTH, BIOCHEMICAL AND HEAMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Sažetak

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the growth, nutrient utilization, heamatology and serum biochemical parameters of C. gariepinus juveniles under various feeding regimes and frequencies. Fish were put in 8 different treatments (T) designated T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8. Each experimental setup had 8 fish in 3 replicates. All fish were bulk weighed at the beginning of the experiment and on weekly basis for a period of 10 weeks. There were feeding strategy effects (p<0.05) on mean weight gain (MWG), specific growth rate (SGR) and voluntary feed intake (VFI) across treatments. The control group (T1) recorded the highest MWG (202.92 ± 4.68) and SGR (4.24 ± 0.05) while the lowest values were recorded in T4 (82.60 ± 15.63 and 3.05 ± 0.23 respectively). The best value for feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in T6 (0.20 ± 0.02) which differed significantly (p<0.05) from other treatments with the exception of T2. Significant differences (P<0.05) were shown in haemoglobin (Hb) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The highest value for Hb was recorded in T6 (10.8±0.3) and the lowest value in T8 (7.6±0.3). Also, the utmost value for ESR was recorded in T8 (43.5±2.1)) while, the least was found in T6 (19.0±4.2). However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) recorded in both the PCV and WBC. The blood protein, albumin, creatine, urea, cholesterol, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein with the exception of low density protein did not record significant differences (P>0.05) across different feeding regimes. Similarly, Aspartate Aminotransferase and Alanine Aminotransferase did not record significant differences (P>0.05) in values, while there was reduction in the values of chloride, potassium and sodium  with decrease in number of feeding days.