Growth Response, Survival and Profitability of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fed at Different Feeding Frequencies in Fertilized Earthen Ponds

Abstract

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings were reared in earthen ponds at three different feeding frequencies; twice daily, twice after 1 day, and twice after 2 days for a period of 7 months. Three hundred and seventy five fish were stocked into each of the nine, 150 m2 ponds with three replicates for each treatment. The fish were fed with a commercial diet (26% crude protein). Significantly (P < 0.05) best percentage weight gain (3479.59 ± 116.63% ) and specific growth rate (SGR) (1.65 ± 0.02%) was observed in groups of fish fed daily compared to fish fed after 1 day and after 2 days which recorded SGR of 1.62 and 1.59% respectively. The lowest feed conversion ratio (1.04 ± 0.01) was observed in fish fed twice after 2 days. The highest survival (83.24%) was recorded in fish fed daily and there were no significant differences among the other feeding groups (P > 0.05). Partial enterprise budget analysis indicated that feeding O. niloticus twice after 2 days in fertilized ponds is significantly profitable (P < 0.05) than feeding twice daily and after 1 day. Thus it is possible to rear O. niloticus in fertilized earthen ponds when fish are fed twice after 2 days.