Growth Performance and Survival of Clarias gariepinus Larvae Fed with Varying Inclusions of Beef Brain Meal

Clarias gariepinus culture remains undeveloped in CA´te d’Ivoire due to the lack of locally quality feed, fingerlings, and the high cost of imported feed Artemia salina. Because of the importance of feed and feeding strategy in fish fingerling production, beef brain meal was investigated as alternative compounded feed. Feeding trial was completed with five isonitrogenous diets at 35% crude protein formulated by substituting Artemia salina for beef brain (BB) meal on the basis of crude protein at 0% (Control diet), 25% (BB25), 50% (BB50), 75% (BB75) and 100% (BB100) level. Catfish, Clarias gariepinus larvae with an average weight of 0.006 ± 0.001 g were fed with experiment diets in three replicate groups, three times a day (07:00, 12:00 and 17:00 hours) ad libitum 49 days. At the end of rearing period, highest values of growth parameters were recorded from larvae fed with BB100, BB75, and BB50. Beef brain meal increased the dietary total fat when the feed conversion ratio decreased. Fish fed diets BB25 and BB50 recorded the highest values of survival rate. Studies on the best feeding rates and water quality monitoring should be carried out to improve survival of Clarias gariepinus larvae fed with high level of beef brain meal in diet.