Comparative growth performance and survival of hatchery-reared African catfish fry (Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822) fed on live and artificial diets

Background: Feed determines to a large extent, the sustainability in aquaculture since the survival and growth of the fish fry depends on the quality of feeds. The comparative growth performance and survival in Clarias gariepinus fry fed with live and artificial feeds were carried out. Methods: Four hundred and eighty healthy fries collected from a commercial hatchery were randomly divided into four experimental groups of 40 fry with three replicates for each group, and fed with four different feeds (three live feeds and one artificial feed) to differentiate each group; Artemia Lush® (AL), Artemia Inve® (AI), Dried-ground Shrimp (S), and artificial feed Durante® (D) for three weeks. The proximate composition of feed samples was analyzed, Physico-chemical parameters and microbiological analysis of water in experimental tanks were analyzed on a weekly basis. The fish were assessed for growth performance and survival on a weekly basis. Results: There was a significant difference of P< 0.05 in all proximate compositions of the feeds analyzed, there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in the Physico-chemical parameters of water in the experimental tanks within twenty-one days. The final weight, final length, specific growth rate, and survival of fry fed with live feeds Artemia were similar to artificial feed Durante®, but the economic analysis was reduced in artificial feed compared to live feeds while fry fed with Dried-ground Shrimp had poor growth and survival rate. Conclusion: The feeding of live and artificial feeds to Clarias gariepinus fry within the first twenty-one days produced a similar growth response and survival rate but an artificial diet required reduced cost than live diets, while dried-ground shrimp should not be recommended for feeding Clarias gariepinus fry.