Replacement of GUM ARABIC for Tilapia Fingerlings Based On Plant Source Diet Inclusion

Abstract

Nile tilapia most dominant cultured tilapia species in Sudan and have contributed significantly to the aquaculture development of the country. A 6 week trial was conducted to study the growth of this species under three different culture regimes (two levels of feeding regimen in hapa-in-pond). Mixed sex fingerlings of average weight 3.90 ± 0.21 g were stocked in hapa-in-pond at a rate of 5fish/hapa. Fingerlings were fed a 25.15% crude protein fish diet. A comparison of growth performance of fish under the three feeding regimes with varying concentration of Gum Arabic incorporated into the diet in terms of weight gain was in the following order; (3% GA) > (6% GA) > and (9% GA). There were significant differences in final mean weights mean daily weight gain, specific growth rate and mean weight gain between the GA regimes yet better in lower percentage treatment. Although the net yield was high in O. niloticus under the control treatment, survival was relatively high among O. niloticus under the 3% GA treatment. A high value of fish crop was realized in O. niloticus under the control condition with no GA, however, did vary significantly from each other. In general, although O. niloticus showed superior growth with an appreciable feed conversion rate, Keywords: Oreochromis niloticus, Gum Arabic, Hapa in pond, feed conversion ratio, Survival.