Growth response of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings fed with varying levels of dietary freshwater mussel (Aspatharia sinuata)

Alatise, S.P. and Ogundele, O. and Olaosebikan, B.D. (2005) Growth response of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings fed with varying levels of dietary freshwater mussel (Aspatharia sinuata). In: 19th Annual Conference of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) , 29 Nov - 03 Dec 2004 , Ilorin, Nigeria.

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Abstract

A common bivalve: Freshwater mussel, Aspatharia sinuate was evaluated as a dietary protein supplement in the production diet for Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings with mean body weight 8.34 plus or minus 10g reared in aquaria tanks. Four diets containing fishmeal protein at a rate of 25%, 50% and 75% along with the freshwater mussel flesh were formulated. The diet without the freshwater mussel served as the control. The fish fingerlings were fed at 5% body weight per day for 56 days. It was revealed at the end of the experiment that freshwater mussel was most suitable as a protein supplement when incorporated at 25% replacement. The body weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ration values of 6.83g, 1.06% day and 0.62 respectively were highest in diet with 25% replacement closely followed by diet with 50% replacement. Beyond 75% inclusion level there was no significant growth (P>0.05). However, complete replacement of fishmeal by freshwater mussel decreases growth rates and should not be used in Heterobranchus longifilis diets

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