Impact of Rationing on Growth Parameters (Length-weight) and Survival of Sarotherodon melanotheron Rüppell, 1852 Larvae at the Layo Aquaculture Experimental Station in Ivory Coast

Abstract

Fish feeding is one of the major constraints to the development of fish farming. The general objective of this work is to contribute to the improvement of aquaculture production. Specifically, it involves determining the physicochemical parameters of the breeding water ; larvae growth parameters and the survival rate of Sarotherodon melanotheron Fry. To this end, three batches (1, 2, 3) of 75 individuals, tested in triplicate, were formed in 50 L happas. For 5 weeks, they were fed with Koudijs feed at ration rates of 10% (batch 1), 20% (batch 2) and 30% (batch 3) of biomass. Each week, physico-chemical parameters were recorded, and 10 Fry were taken at random from each happa, weighed and measured individually. At the end of the experiment, all surviving individuals per batch were counted. Results showed that the temperature (28.98 ± 1.21°C), the dissolved oxygen (6.826 ± 0.92 mg/l) and the pH (6.946 ± 0.77) were within the range recommended for rearing this species. Zootechnical parameters such as Average Weight, Average Size, ADG and Survival Rate of individuals from batch 2 (20%) were better, with respective values of 1745 ± 297.71 mg; 45 ± 2.5 mm; 49.01 ± 2.91 mg/d and 100%. However, the lowest values for Average Weight (1574 ± 381.57 mg), Average Size (43.6 ± 3.31 mm) and ADG (44.11 ± 1.70 mg/d) were recorded in batch 1. In view of the results, fish farmers should opt for the 20% rationing rate.