Effect of feeding frequencies on growth performance of Clarias gariepinus

Investigations were carried out on the growth performance of juvenile Clarias gariepinus using four different feeding frequencies. Two hundred and forty juveniles (8.6 +0.0 g) were stocked in eight aquaria tanks (120 x 60 x 80 cm) to a capacity of 120 litres and fed 1,2,3 and 4 times a day respectively for 70 days. Final body weight, relative growth rate (RGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) were measured significantly lower at F1 (1 time/day) and F2 (2 times/day) than F3 (3 times/day) and F4 (4 times/day) treatment (pF4>F1>F2. There were no significant differences for survival rates (p>0.05) within the treatments. The results showed that weight gain and growth performance of Clarias gariepinus juvenile increased with increased feeding frequency. The relative growth rate (RGR) of the experimental fish ranged from 972% (in twice daily feeding frequency) to 1,801% (in thrice daily feeding frequency) and the highest was in three times daily feeding frequency while the twice daily feeding frequency had the least. Specific growth rate was lowest in once daily feeding frequency 3.56% and highest value of 4.21% was recorded in thrice daily feeding frequency.Keywords: specific growth rate, relative growth rate, Clarias gariepinus.