Larval rearing of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using European pine sawfly (Neodiprion sertifer) larvae as direct food

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of different alternative (locally available) diets and their combination on growth of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus larvae. Fish larvae (mean weight 2.70 plus or minus 0.08 mg, mean length 0.75 plus or minus 0.05 mm and 2 days old) were fed one of five diets containing commercial trout starter diet (TY as control diet), tubifex, European pine sawfly (Neodiprion sertifer: CAT) larvae, tubifex plus TY and CAT plus TY for 18 days. Growth was nearly similar in TY, Tubifex and CAT+TY groups and typically, retardation was detected especially in CAT group. On day 6, 10, 14 and 18 mean weight of the larvae varied significantly (p>0.05) between the treatments. The results of this feeding trial showed that the Tubifex supplementation (to improve the efficiency of dry diet, TY) significantly improved the growth and survival rates (p