The rearing of African river prawn, Macrobrachium vollenhovenii in concrete tank using locally formulated diet.

Abstract

200 live juveniles of African river prawn (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii) with an average initial weight of (0.7±0.02 g) and an average initial length of (46.34±0.23 mm) were collected from Epe Lagoon and cultured in a rectangular concrete tanks for 56 days. The prawns were fed with 2mm pelletized feed of 35% crude protein at 5% body weight. The Growth parameters were determined and the Weight Gain (WG) at the end of the experiment was 2.5 g, Percentage Weight Gain (PWG) was 31.25%, Specific Growth Rate (SGR) was 0.21%, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was 1.04, Feed Efficiency Ratio (FER) was 0.962, Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) was 7.14% and Condition factor (K) was 1.35. The equation of the length-weight relationship was W=0.57L1.33, a = 0.547, b = 1.33 which shows a negative allometric growth. The Linear correlation coefficient (R) was 0.58. The range of water quality variables analyzed weekly were 6.74–7.90 for pH, 25.7- 30.3 0C for the temperature, 6.71–8.01 mg/L for dissolved oxygen, 0.00–0.03% for salinity, 0.199–0.725 mS/cm for conductivity, 24-48 NTU for turbidity, nitrite was 0.07-0.50 mg/L, nitrate was 1.32-6.63 mg/L and 0.32–1.65 mg/L was recorded for Ammonia. The study has helped developed a method of collection, transportation, culturing in concrete tanks and feeding of prawns with locally formulated diet with prompt check on the water quality. Subsequent work can be carried out in concrete tanks to yield the desired result and serve as a yardstick in subsequent culture using other forms of culture medium.