Comparative Study Of Growth Performance And Survival Of African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus, Burchell 1822) Fry In Indoor And Outdoor Concrete And Hapa Culture System

The growth performance of catfish seed in earthen and concrete tank had been well documented. However, the challenges of shooters and economy of available space had changed the focus of fish seed producers to the use of hapas in both systems in recent times. This study therefore compares the growth performance and survival of catfish fry raised with and without hapa in indoor and outdoor concrete tanks. 2000 fry (0.13 ± 0.02 g) were introduced to each of indoor concrete tanks, outdoor concrete tanks (2.0 × 2.0 × 1.0 m) with and without hapas (0.7 × 0.7 × 0.35 m) respectively with three replicate. Commercial diet of 45% crude protein was administered four times daily in split-rations at 5% body weight for 70 days. Unconsumed feed were controlled by daily flow through. The specific growth rate, weight gain, total body length, and survival rate were determined weekly. The results showed a significant different in growth performance and survival of the fish between culture systems. Fish in indoor and outdoor hapas exhibited significantly higher weight (1.58 ± 0.06 and 1.50 ± 0.02 g) compared to indoor and outdoor concrete tanks (1.41 ± 0.02 and 1.22 ± 0.03g). Highest survival rate (78.50% ± 5.48%) was however, recorded in indoor concrete tank followed by (64.08 ± 0.73%) hapas in outdoor concrete tanks. The survival rate was not significantly different among hapa systems but significantly differ between concrete tanks and hapas. This study revealed that, rearing of C. gariepinus fry in hapas is considered better for seed production if the attainment of fast growth is considered.