Novel feed for fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus

Abstract

A five week study was conducted to observe the performance of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings stocked in hapas and fed on mango leaves meal in a pond. Oreochromis niloticus of average weight 8.49 g were fed with mango leaves and compared to farm feed. Fish fed on the farm feed recorded significantly higher weight (20.73 g) than fish fed on the mango leaves with an average weight of 11.23 g. Mean weight gain, specific growth rate and survival rates were higher for fish fed with the farm feed but not significantly (P> 0.05) different. However, the feed conversion ratio was higher and significantly (P < 0.05) different among treatments. It costs less to produce a kilogram of mango leaves meal than that of farm feed. Temperature, turbidity and pH were not adversely affected by the use of mango leaves. Mango leaves can be used as supplementary feed and incorporated in the formulation of farm feed for the raising of Oreochromis niloticus.