Effect of alternate feeding of normal and low protein diet on the growth performance and biochemical composition of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) fingerlings

Abstract

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted with Clarias gariepinus fingerlings to evaluate the effects of alternate mixed feeding schedules of normal and low protein diets on growth and feed utilization. Two experimental diets with crude protein levels of 45% (Diet A – normal protein) and 35% (Diet B – low protein) were prepared using locally available feed ingredients. Four different feeding schedules were implemented: Diet A throughout (T1), 1-day Diet A followed by 1-day Diet B (T2), 2-days Diet A followed by 1-day Diet B (T3), and 1-dayDietA followed by 2-days Diet B (T4). The fish were fed 5% of their body weight twice daily throughout the experiment. The results showed no significant difference in the growth and feed utilization parameters except for the protein efficiency ratio. T4 recorded the highest value for weight gain, specific growth rate, feed and protein efficiency ratio. Similarly, T4 recorded the best feed conversion ratio. Hence, the study showed that alternate feeding of normal and low protein diets has no negative effect on fish growth performance with a possibility of reducing feed cost.