African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (9), pp. 778-780, 2 May 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Short Communication

Growth response and survival of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings fed at different feeding frequencies

Davies, O. A.*, Inko- Tariah, M. B. and Amachree, D.

Fisheries Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers  State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt  Rivers State.

*Corresponding authors E-mail. daviesonome@yahoo.com.

Accepted 12 January, 2006

In an effort to utilize feed efficiently, promote growth, increase survival and reduce labour costs associated with feeding, Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings were placed on one of four feeding frequencies; once/day, twice/day; once every other day, and twice every other day for 56 days. They were fed with a commercial floating diet containing 40% crude protein level. They were reared in twelve 14 L plastic aquaria, with 3 aquaria/treatment under laboratory conditions. Each aquarium contained 10 fingerlings. The growth parameters except relative growth rate (RGR) were significantly different for fishes receiving the different treatments. Survival was not significantly different among treatments except for fingerlings fed once every other day. The study suggests that the fingerlings of Heterobrachus longifilis should be fed twice daily for higher growth performance.

Key words: Growth, response, survival, Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings, feeding frequency.