Growth performance of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Larvae Fed with Diets Containing Different Levels of Spirulina platensis [302212]

Growth performance of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Larvae Fed with Diets Containing Different Levels of Spirulina platensis

1Paloma M. De Chavez, 2Remedios B. Bolivar

1[anonimizat], [anonimizat], Banuyo, Gasan, Marinduque, 4905; 2 [anonimizat]ñoz, Nueva Ecija (zipcode)

Abstract. [anonimizat] (Clarias gariepinus) larvae was investigated on a 90-day feeding experiment. The study was carried out both in aquarium and tank conditions. The experimental treatments evaluated were: 100% commercial feeds (CF), 100% formulated feeds (FF), 90% formulated feeds (FF) + 10% S. platensis meal (SPM), 80% formulated feeds (FF) + 20% S. platensis meal (SPM), 70% formulated feeds (FF) + 3 0% S. platensis meal (SPM) and 60% formulated feeds (FF) + 40% S. platensis meal (SPM).

In aquaria, 60% FF + 40% SPM gave the highest weight gain with a mean of 22.16 g ± 2.67 whereas 100% FF gave the lowest weight gain with a mean of 16.20 g ± 0.36. In terms of gain in length, 100% CF gave the highest gain in length with means 96.21 mm ± 8.24 among treatments. Daily weight gain (DWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of catfish larvae with 60% FF + 40% SPM obtained the highest DWG and SGR among treatments while 100% FF obtained the lowest means respectively. Diets with 80% FF + 20% SPM and 70% FF + 30% SPM gave a better FCR of 1.45 ± 0.20 and 1.45 ± 0.64, respectively. Data on percent survival showed no significant difference among treatment groups. Highest survival rate was obtained in 90% FF + 10% SPM with a mean of 28.89 ± 1.11

[anonimizat] S. platensis gave a [anonimizat], SGR, and FCR values which significantly differed when compared to control diets. Survival rate showed no significant difference among treatment groups. [anonimizat].

Keywords: S. platensis, aquaria, tanks, African catfish larvae

Introduction. [anonimizat] a small-scale level due to feeding problems and inadequate availability of seed for stocking. Suboptimal feeding can impact not only on growth but also on survival. The larvae of most fish species have a [anonimizat]. Live foods possess one major advantage in that they remain alive and accessible for a longer time in contrast to commercial feeds. [anonimizat]. Moreover, [anonimizat].

[anonimizat] a suitable feed and its potential use as a viable aquaculture feed (Velu and Munuswamy, 2007). Davy and Chouinard (1980) noted that the most critical area of fish fry production and the major critical period is immediately before and during the initiation of first feeding. If food is not immediately available to fish hatchlings, the fry may become weak and become predisposed to predation in natural rearing system (Rana, 1990). If the initial feeding of catfish fry is delayed beyond 5.4 days, more than 50% of the fish may die (Owodeinde et al., 2004). Availability of food during initial feeding is thus very essential for the survival and growth of fish. Huisman et al. (1976) considered the lack of suitable food as the main cause of mortality in most fishes at this stage, emphasizing the importance of the quantity, quality, and feed size.

In an attempt to come up with a cost-effective larval production, and to respond to a more organically produced-larvae, steps have to be initiated for the improvement of its production. Hence, this study focused on the growth response of catfish larvae with the incorporation of different levels of S. platensis meal on its diets under aquaria and circular tanks. S. platensis is presently available at a commercial scale; thus, its use in feeds for aquaculture is possible.

Material and Method

Experimental Set-up and Design. Eighteen aquaria with a dimension of 30 x 60 x 30 cm and eighteen circular tanks (100 cm) were set at the Wet Laboratory of Freshwater Aquacultre Center (FAC) following the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) for six treatments with three

replicates each (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Experimental set-up and design (indoor tanks – left; outdoor tanks – right).

Experimental Fish. A total of 1,440 African catfish larvae were used in this study. The larvae were produced by induced spawning of one pair of African catfish breeders at the FAC, CLSU.

Experimental Diets. There were six treatments tested in this study: Treatment 1 was 100% commercial feed (control I); Treatment 2 was 100% formulation of rice bran and fish meal (Control II); Treatments 3, 4, 5, and 6 used formulated feed with incorporation of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of S. platensis, respectively. The alga, S. platensis used in this study was obtained from Maejo Spirulina Farm 212 Moo 14, Papri, Sansai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Fish meal (Peruvian) and rice bran (D1) were purchased from the local market. Each ration was prepared in a one kilogram with varying inclusion levels of Spirulina powder. All the ingredients were sieved through a fine-meshed sieve and manually mixed. Formulated diets were air-dried, stored in plastic container and placed at room temperature (Figure 2).

Proximate Analysis of Feeds. S. platensis powder was analyzed for proximate analysis at the Central Laboratory (Thailand) Co., Ltd., in Bangkok, Thailand. Fish meal (Peruvian) and rice bran (D1) were analyzed at QualiBet Testing Services Corporation, Quezon City, Philippines. Proximate analyses of the S. platensis, fish meal and rice bran were done to determine the concentration of protein, fats, ash, moisture and nitrogen-free extract.

Feeding and Management. The study was conducted for ninety (90) days to determine the effects of incorporating different levels of S. platensis meal on African catfish larvae diets on their growth performance. These experimental diets were fed to the larvae at a rate of 20% of their body weight on the first month, 15% on the second month and 10% on the third month. Feeding was done thrice a day for all treatments in both conditions. More so, 30% of the water was changed daily in aquaria and weekly in the tank system. Physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were also monitored daily.

Sampling. Sampling was done bi-weekly to adjust the feeding rate. Thirty percent of the experimental fish/replicate for both aquaria and tanks were used in determining the various growth parameters.

Parameters Gathered. Various growth parameters gathered were mean weight and length gains, daily weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and survival rate. These parameters were computed using the standard formula.

Statistical Analysis. The analyses of data were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17.0. Data gathered were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine significant differences among treatment. Comparison of means was done at 5% probability level effects by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT).

Results. The growth performance of African catfish larvae fed with diets containing different levels of S. platensis on a 90-day feeding experiment in aquaria and tanks are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Growth performance of African catfish larvae fed with diets containing different levels of S. platensis on a 90-day feeding experiment in aquaria and tanks

Note: Means within a column with the same or no superscript are not significantly different at 5% probability level by DMRT. (WG-Weight Gain; LG-Length Gain; DWG-Daily Weight Gain; SGR-Specific Growth Rate; FCR-Food Conversion Ratio; SR-Survival Rate)

Weight and Length Gain. In aquaria, results showed that African catfish larvae fed with 60% FF + 40% SPM obtained the highest weight gain with a mean of 22.16 g ± 1.54 while larvae fed with 100% FF obtained the lowest mean of 16.20 ± 0.36 g. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference (P<0.05) among treatments in the weight and length gains at 5% probability level of DMRT.

Figure 2. Growth of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) during the 90-day feeding experiment in aquaria.

For the tank condition, African catfish fed with diets containing 80% FF + 20% SPM obtained the highest mean weight gain among treatments with a mean of 76.29 g ± 0.97. Diets of catfish larvae with SPM-inclusion had significantly better growth compared to catfish larvae fed with 100% CF 100% (69.40 g ± 3.19) and 100% FF (66.90 g ± 1.92). In terms of the length gain, African catfish fed with diets containing 60% FF + 40% SPM and 100% CF obtained higher values of length increment among treatments while catfish fed with 100% FF attained the lowest final length gain of 182.60 ± 3.18 mm.

Figure 3. Growth of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) during the 90-day feeding experiment in circular tanks.

At the start of the experiment, the African catfish fed with 100% CF weighed more and were longer than those fish fed with diets containing Spirulina. The increase in growth rate of the catfish were observed during the second to third weeks and continued until the last months of the experiment. Santiago et al. (1987) observed that Nile tilapia fingerlings had significant increase on growth and feed conversion efficiency when fed diet containing Azolla meal. Results also showed that growth response and food conversion were directly influenced by the increasing levels of Azolla meal.

According to Tacon (1993), De Silva and Anderson (1995), Thomas and van Poel (1996), even with substantial attempts to balance nutrition and energy contents during the formulation, the composition of the final feed may deviate somewhat from the expected levels due to variations in the manufacturing process and the physical characteristics of the resultant pellets.

Increased uniform growth, feed efficiency, carcass quality, and physiological response to stress and disease in several species of fish by dietary inclusion of Spirulina has been reported earlier in a number of studies (Nakazoe et al., 1986; Mustafa et al., 1994; Nakagawa and Gomez-Diaz, 1995). Intensive work was also carried out to test the utilization of Spirulina as mixed feed for abalone, scallops and penaeid shrimp (Zhou et al., 1991).

An earlier study conducted by Nandeesha et al. (1998) revealed that S. platensis could be used as a sole source of protein in common carp diets. Ibrahim (2007) and Dawah et al. (2002) found that the addition of algae in fish diets improved growth performance of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus). Moreover, Zeinhom (2004) found that, inclusion of algae in fish diets significantly increased the live body weight and Nandeesha et al. (1998) reported that body weight gain of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) increased linearly with increasing level of algae in fish diet.

Daily Weight Gain (DWG) and Specific Growth Rate (SGR). For the aquaria condition, results revealed that catfish larvae fed with 60% FF + 40% SPM followed by 70% FF + 30% SPM obtained the highest daily weight gain of fish with means 0.25 ± 1.17 g and 0.23 ± 1.03 g, respectively. However, 100% FF and 90% FF + 10% SPM obtained the lowest values of daily weight gain with means 4.53 ± 1.08 g and 4.63 ± 1.09 g. In terms of the specific growth rate, catfish larvae fed with 60% FF + 40% SPM obtained the highest specific growth rate with a mean of 4.90 ± 1.17 among treatments.

For the tank condition, results showed that African catfish fed with diet containing 80% FF + 20% SPM, 70% FF + 30% SPM, and 90% FF + 10% SPM obtained higher specific growth rate. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference (P>0.05) among 80% FF + 20% SPM, 70% FF + 30% SPM, and 90% FF + 10% SPM but significantly higher than diets of 100% CF, 100% FF and 60% FF + 40% SPM. Results showed that African catfish larvae fed with diets of 90% FF + 10% SPM, 80% FF + 20% SPM, 70% FF + 30% SPM and 60% FF + 40% SPM obtained the higher daily weight gain values which is significantly higher (P<0.05) than catfish fed with 100% CF and 100% FF which obtained means of 0.66 ± 1.03 and 0.63 ± 3.02, respectively.

These results may be attributed to the higher protein content of 70% FF + 30% SPM and 60% FF + 40% SPM which in turn results to apparent high specific growth rate and daily weight gain of African catfish fed with 30-40% inclusion levels of S. platensis.

Food Conversion Ratio (FCR). For the aquaria condition, results revealed no significant differences (P>0.05) on FCR while there were significant differences among treatments in tanks.

The correlations between FCR and average body weight recorded in the present study which was significantly better in the Spirulina-supplemented diets are similar to the results given by Faturoti and Smith (1989). They reported that the feed intake and FCR were positively correlated with the average fish weight gain. Watanabe et al. (1990) mentioned that feed supplemented with Spirulina powder improved the FCR and growth rates of striped jack, Pseudocaranx dentex. As reported by Palmegiano et al. (2005), sturgeon fish (Acipenser baeri) fed by diets containing Spirulina meal had better growth than the control diet and particularly the 50% inclusion of Spirulina meal, resulted to an increase in biomass gain and growth rate, best FCR of the sturgeon fish.

Table 2

Food conversion ratio (FCR) and Protein efficiency ratio (PER) of African catfish larvae fed with diets containing different levels of Spirulina platensis on a 90-day feeding experiment in aquaria

Table 3

Food conversion ratio (FCR) and Protein efficiency ratio (PER) of African catfish larvae fed with diets containing different levels of Spirulina platensis on a 90-day feeding experiment in circular tanks

Survival Rate. Analysis of variance revealed no significant difference (P>0.05) among treatments for both aquaria and tank conditions (Appendix Tables 11 and 21).

For the aquaria, survival rates found among larvae fed with different inclusion levels of S. platensis came out to be lower while survival rate values for the circular tanks were higher compared to the results of similar studies.

Figure 4. Survival rate of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) larvae after the 90-day feeding experiment.

Figure 5. Survival rate of African catfish larvae (Clarias gariepinus) after 90-day feeding experiment in circular tanks.

Conclusions. Spirulina-incorporation in catfish diets as alternative source of protein has potential advantages of improving the growth performance of African catfish larvae both in aquaria and tank conditions. Nonetheless, performance of the catfish larva was comparable in all treatments except for 40% inclusion level in aquaria and 10-20% in tanks which gave better growth. Comparative studies on different species and sources of Spirulina be conducted to consider its potential ability to replace fish meal especially in herbivorous fish species. Stocking of larvae to grow-out ponds at different stocking densities to determine pond grow-out performance and stocking densities effects on fish fed with diets having different inclusion levels of S. platensis is also suggested.

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