Growth And Survival Of African Catfish, Clarias Gariepinus ( Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings Reared In Cages Suspended In Concrete Tank And Earthen Pond In Umudike, Abia State.

ABSTRACT

Comparative were studies carried out to evaluate the growth and survival of Africa catfish, C/arias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) reared in cages suspended in tank and pond of surface area 24rn2and 450m2 respectively. The result showed that growth was better in pond than in tank. At the end of the culture period, the percentage survival was 97.96% tank and 93.88% in pond and this did not differ significantly at (P> 0.05) among the stocking densities. There was no significance difference in Food Conversion Efficiency (FCE) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER;) and the stocking densities between the two systems. Fish stocked at 7rn-3grew better than those stocked at higher densities of 14rn-and -28ni 3. Statistical analysis of the data collected showed a significance difference (P<0.05) in the SGR. The analysis of the labour cost required for adoption of net cage culture system in both tank and pond also proved it to be a more efficient and profitable fingerling production system.