Effects of starvation on hybrid clariid catfish, Clarias gariepinus xHeterobranchus bidorsalis production

摘要

Effects of four feeding regimes starved for 58 days, starved for 28 days and subsequently fed for 28 days, fed for 28 days and subsequently starved for 28 days, and fed throughout the 56-day grow-out period: treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively on Clariid catfish hybrid (Clarias gariepinus x Heterobranchus bidorsalis) were studies over 56 days. Catfish in treatment 2 or 3 had lighter weight (P < 0.05) than the treatment 4 Carcass fat and protein increased when the catfish were fed but decreased when the catfish were subsequently starved, but not as low as in catfish in treatment 1. There was progressive reduction in carcass fat and protein in catfish starved over the 56 days. The hepato and viscerosomatic indices were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in catfish in treatment than other treatments. Economic performance indices (gross profit, profit index and incidence of cost) were best in treatment 4 followed by treatment 3 and worst in treatment 1. These results indicate that clariid catfish hybrid on starvation at either first half or second half cannot catch-up with the fish fed throughout the experimental period, in terms of growth, carcass protein and fat, and yield.