Effects of feedings practices on growth performance and feed utilization of heterotis niloticus fingerlings

Two series of experiments have been successively conducted to determine the modalities of food distribution to Heterotisniloticus fingerlings in fish-farming pond. In the first experiments, three daily rations have been separately tested on fingerlings of 165.81 ± 4.59 g. These are: (T1) = 4% of fingerlings total weight the whole duration of breeding, (T2) = 5%, 4% and 3.5% of fingerlings total weight, respectively the first month, the second month and the last one for the continuation of the breeding, and (T3) = 3.5% of fingerlings total weight the whole duration of breeding. At the end of this experiment, T2 gave the best growth results in the fish which reached for this ration a final average weight of 933.79 ± 7.52 g. The second experiment concerned the frequency of feeding. Fingerlings of 281.26 ± 19.05 g, have been subjected to three frequencies of nourishment namely: (2md) = 2 meals per day, (3md) = 3 meals per day and (6md) = 6 meals per day. The highest final average weight of fish (1009.45 ± 17.51 g) and the best food efficiency were observed in fish receiving 6 meals per day. The frequency of 3 meals can also be recommended insofar as the obtained growth results of the fish are not significantly different from those obtained with 6 meals per day.