Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fed Compounded Rations and Maggots

An investigation into the monoculture of Clarias gariepinus was carried out with a view to determine the most suitable level of supplementing maggots with compounded rations and evaluate the growth performance. Ten juvenile Clarias were stocked each in four different hapas of 1m x 1m x 1m in a pond. Initial mean weights recorded are 105.55g, 110.63g, 108.25g and 112.65g for the four treatments respectively. There were four experimental treatments T1 - T4, T1 100% compounded ration, T2 50% compounded ration and 50% maggots, T3 25% compounded ration and 75% maggots, T4 100% maggots. Experimental fish were fed at 5% body weight for 8 weeks with final weight as 201.56g, 230.28g, 186.35g and 170.80g for the treatments respectively. The highest mean weight of 119.65, specific growth rate of 1.3 and protein efficiency ratio of 0.39 were recorded in treatment II for fish fed 50% compounded ration and 50% maggot Results of this study showed among others that a combination of 50% compounded ration and 50% maggot (Treatment II) yielded the best growth performance of Clarias gariepinus. Hence, equal combination of compounded ration and maggots in fish which is one of the goods sources of human protein is highly recommended.