Growth performance of different sexes of Oreochromis niloticus fed with different feeds in Dadinkowa earthen ponds, Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Growth performance of all-male, all-female and mixed population of O. niloticus as a member of the family Cichilidae was carried out.  The weight of the stocked fingerlings ranged from 20 - 30g.  Wheat bran, millet bran and rice bran were used in feeding the fish in the three groups respectively.

      The best growth rates were recorded in the all-male groups.  The all-male group fed wheat bran showed the highest mean growth (MGR) of 0.57g/day and food conversion ratio (FCR) of 0.33, as against the all-male fed on millet bran and rice bran with MGR of 0.47g/day, FCR of 0.44 and MGR of 0.36g/day and FCR of 0.45 respectively.  There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in MGR and FCR of the mixed population fed millet bran and rice bran.  Also, there was no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the all females fed with wheat bran and millet bran, but there mean growth rate (MGR) of all-male fed with wheat bran and all-female fed on rice bran.

      The results of the experiment shows that male Oreochromis niloticus attains the highest growth rate and best feed utilization that either the all-female or mixed population