Culture Trials of Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Fingerlings and Juveniles Using Floating Plastic Enclosure System

Abstract

There is paucity of information on the suitable floating catfish fingerling/nursery production system for juvenile catfish which are in very high demand. The effects of enclosure shape, stocking density, water quality on production of catfish fingerlings and juveniles were evaluated by carrying out two experiments. Experiments involved the use of two plastic enclosure shapes (circular and rectangular of 60litres each) and dosage of eggs (5g, 10g, and 15g of eggs). There were 3 replicates per treatment (enclosure shape and dosage). Eggs were incubated and hatched in the enclosures. Data collected were number of fingerlings, weight and length, pH and water temperature inside and outside the enclosures were also monitored. Parameters monitored included number of juveniles, percentage of shooters and suspected cannibalized fish. Data were subjected to ANOVA. Results showed that mean water pH inside the enclosures were not significantly different (p>0.05) with respect to enclosure shape. Weight and length of fish at fingerling stage were affected significantly (p<0.001) by dosage. 5g dosage recorded highest mean weight (3.6g) and the length (6.7cm) of fish at fingerling stage while the 15g dosage had the least mean weight (2.0g) and length (5.0cm). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in water temperature and pH within and outside the enclosure under different egg dosages, percentage of shooters and suspected cannibalized fish were not significantly different (p> 0.05) between enclosure shapes. However, the mean weight of fish in circular enclosure was significantly higher (p<0.001) than in rectangular enclosure. Fish in circular enclosures weighed 7.7g each while those in rectangular enclosures weighed 7.0g. Percentage survival and number of shooters were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the three stocking densities. In contrast, number of fish harvested and suspected cannibalized fish were affected significantly (p<0.001) by stocking densities. Length of fish harvested was significantly different (p<0.001) among the stocking densities. The higher the stocking density the shorter the length of fish harvested. The same inverse trend was observed in weight of shooters, stocking density at 60 fish/enclosure yielded the lightest shooters (6.4g) compared with the highest (8.3g) in 15 fish/enclosure. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in number of shooters under the different stocking densities, however it is concluded that lower stocking density is preferred to higher stocking density. It is therefore recommended that enclosure of either shape could be adopted.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-14-04

Publication date:July 31^st 2021