Comparative Studies and Performance Characteristics of Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Larvae Using Micro Worms (Paragrellus Redivivus) And Coppens Crumbles (Published)
An experiment was conducted on the comparative growth performance of Clarias gariepinus larvae using Micro worms (Panagrellus redivivus) and Coppens crumbles respectively. Three thousand pieces of Clarias gariepinus larvae of 2 days old having mean weight of 4.5±0.05mg and length of 5.18±0.04mm was randomly distributed into two separate feeding trials A & B, and replicated thrice in each feeding trial. Clarias gariepinus larvae were stocked at the rate of 500 larvae per replicate in a slow flow-through system water vats measuring 0.9 x 0.45 x 0.45m3. Larvae on feeding trial (A) were fed with 0.2mm Coppens crumbles while larvae on feeding trial (B) were fed with Micro worms. The larvae were fed thrice a day base on 5% body biomass for 28 days. There is significant difference (P≤ 0.05) in the feeding trials. Larvae on feeding trial (B) had higher weight gain, feed intake, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, survival rate (%) and feed conversion ratio than Larvae on feeding trial A. Therefore, Panagrellus redivivus could be recommended for the feeding of Clarias gariepinus larvae due to their better growth performance.
Keywords: Clarias Gariepinus, coppens crumbles, larvae, micro worms