Sustaining aquaculture development: A comparative study of Multi feed and Rannan feed on the growth performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in an earthen pond system
Declining capture fisheries in Ghana is being addressed by aquaculture with feed and feeding requiring urgent action. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of two commonly commercially feed types (Multi fish feed and Rannan fish feed) on the growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The study used complete randomized block design with two treatments (Multi fish feed and Rannan fish feed) in one block containing four hapas. Two of these hapas were fed with Multi fish feed and the other two hapas were fed with Rannan fish feed. All-male tilapia fingerlings weighed 3g were stocked. Each hapa was stocked with a total of fifty (50) fish. Sampling of fish and water parameters (acidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and transparency) were done every two weeks for three months (between January and March 2016). Data was analyzed using t-test to show significant differences between treatments. Results of the study indicated that, fish growth was better in Multi fish feed than Rannan fish feed. The weight gain (in grams) and length gain (in centimeters) were significantly not different between treatments (p>0.05). The low growth recorded from fish in hapas fed with Rannan feed was due to the relatively low crude protein (30%) and fat (5%) content in the feed whiles the slightly high growth (weight and length) in fish fed with Multi feed could be attributed to the relatively high crude protein (33%) and fat (6%) as well as higher other nutrients in the feed that enhances growth of fish. There was significant difference in pH and temperature among treatments (p<0.05). The mean values recorded for water parameters were within the range of the required water quality for tilapia production. For a better fish growth to be achieved, each of the two feed types can be used. With the cost of feed still high, cheap and good quality feed must be developed to sustain the Oreochromis niloticus production and aquaculture industry of Ghana in general.