Effects of different salinity on Cannibalism, Survival And Growth Performanceosf African cat fish (Clariasgariepinus) larvae

Sabah has the longest coastline in Malaysia which is about 1600 km. This indicates that Sabah is rich in saline water. The culture of this fish in saline water brings full utilization of the saline water. The objective of this study is to determine the optimum salinity on growth and survival for rearing African catfish, Qarias gariepinus juvenile. The juvenile catfish used was 0.37 g and 34.20 mm in body weight and total length respectively and the fish was subjected to 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 ppt. 350 African catfish juvenile were stocked in a tank with no replicates. Rearing was carried out for 6 weeks in recirculating aquaculture system and fed 3 times daily. The results showed that 4 ppt exhibit the highest growth in terms of body weight (21.24 g), weight gain and speCific growth rate. 5743 % of growth was recorded in 4 ppt. However, there was no significant difference between 0 and 2 ppt. Meanwhile, 6 and 8 ppt showed detrimental effects on the growth but fish in 8 ppt was significantly lower in terms of growth in the rest of the treatment. For the survival of fish, 0 ppt was relatively higher but no significant difference with 2 and 4 ppt. Survival of fish decreases in 6 and 8 ppt whereby in 8 ppt survival was 65 % which was significantly lower than the whole treatment. Condition factor of fish was Significantly higher in 8 ppt than 0, 2, 4 and 6 ppt with the value of 0.76. In conclusion,African catfish juvenile can be reared in 0, 2 and 4 ppt without any adverse effect on the growth and survival of fish.