Dietary Effect of Sodium Chloride (NaCL) on Growth and Nutrient Utilization of Clarias Gariepinus Fingerlings

摘要

This study was conducted to determine the dietary effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) on the growth and nutrient utilization of the African Clarias gariepinus. Four practical diets containing different levels of NaCl (T1, 0%; T2, 1%; T3, 2% and T4, 4%) were fed to C. gariepinus fingerlings (n= 100; mean weight, 36.7-41.5 g), at 5% body weight for 70 days. The weight gain of catfish was highest in T2 diet (89.35±14.78) and lowest in T4 diet (98.95±0.35). Catfish survival and specific growth rate, as well as feed efficiency and protein intake showed no significant differences (p>0.05) among the dietary treatments. Therefore, in order to make this experimental trial complete and useful to the aquaculture industry (for profit maximization and production of high quality fish), an inclusion level of 4% NaCl is recommended to improve growth and nutrient utilization in C. gariepinus.