COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FISH FEED TYPES ON THE GROWTH OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS JUVENILES

Abstract This study investigates the comparative effects of different fish feed types on the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus juveniles. The experiment was conducted to evaluate how various feed formulations influence key growth parameters such as weight gain, length increase, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival rate. Juvenile Clarias gariepinus were randomly distributed into different experimental groups, each fed a specific type of diet, including commercial feed, locally formulated feed, and a mixed feed type. The feeding trial lasted for a specified period under controlled environmental conditions to ensure uniformity across treatments. Growth measurements were taken at regular intervals and analyzed statistically. Results indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in growth performance among the groups. Fish fed with commercial feed showed the highest weight gain and better feed conversion efficiency, while those fed with locally formulated feed exhibited moderate growth. The mixed feed group demonstrated intermediate results. Survival rates were generally high across all treatments, indicating that all feed types were acceptable for sustaining the fish. The study concludes that feed type has a substantial impact on the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus juveniles. Commercial feed proved to be the most effective, although locally formulated feeds can serve as a cost-effective alternative for fish farmers. These findings provide useful insights for improving aquaculture productivity and feed management strategies.