Comparison of extruded and non-extruded soy meals in the diet of genetically improved mudfish Heterobranchus longifilis juveniles

Raw soybeans were subjected to three different processing methods viz Parboiling, Toasting and Extrusion with an Intra Pro Extruder. The processed soybean meals were thereafter incorporated at equal levels into the diets of genetically improved mudfish Heterobranchus longifilis juveniles. The fish were fed the experimental diets in triplicate at 5% of their body weight for eight weeks. The growth performance and food utilization indices, namely Mean Weight Gain (MWG), Food Conversion Ratio (FCR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR%) and Protein Efficient Ratio (PER), were monitored bi-weekly. The results show that fish fed the control fishmeal diets were highest in growth performance, which was significantly different (P>0.05) from others. Among the fish fed the test diets, those fed toasted soybean had higher MWG, SGR, FCR and PER than juveniles fed the parboiled soybean diet. The juveniles fed the extruded soybean diet recorded the least growth performance. The implication of these results in diet formulation is discussed

Preliminary study on the natural extenders for artificial breeding of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

The objective of the present study was to determine the most suitable extender and their respective dilution ratios for African catfish sperm for artificial induced breeding and cryopreservation purposes. Three natural extenders were tested i.e. coconut water, sugarcane water and soybean solutions, at three different levels of sperm to extender dilutions of 1:20, 1:30 and 1:40. While Ringer solution was used as a control Diluted sperm were fertilized with ready isolated eggs to assess the fertility and hatching rate at 0, 6 and 12 hour intervals. The results showed that the eggs hatched approximately 19 to 27 hours after fertilization. In general, the fertilization and hatching rates decreased with increasing dilution ratio. With respect to natural extenders, the coconut water showed the highest fertility and hatching rates at 1:20 dilution ratio. Therefore, coconut water at 1:20 dilution ratio was the optimal condition for African catfish spermatozoa among the natural extenders investigated.

The growth and survival rate of Oreochromis niloticus fries fed (private) with varying percentages of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal based diets

A-ten-week feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the growth and survival rate of Oreochromis niloticus fed with varying percentage levels of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal based diets. The substitution rates of L.leucocephala leaf meal for groundnut cake in the various diets were 0% - Diet 1, 25% - Diet 2, 50% - Diet 3 and 75% - Diet 4. Ten fries with an average weight of 0.44g were stocked at the rate of 10 fish per bowl and fed at 5% body weight. Diet 1 with 0% inclusion of Leucaena leaf meal gave a significant difference (P>0.05) in growth and survival rate compared with diets 2, 3 and 4. The water quality parameters recorded were appropriate for fish culture

The influence of diets and body manipulations on the growth of African prawn Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklots)

Live African prawns Macrobrachium vollenhovenii were collected from Asejire reservoir (Nigeria) by trapping. After acclimatization, the prawns were differently amputated: some had their eye-stalks cut; some had their chelae cut; some had both eyestalks and chelae cut while some were intact which served as the control. Each set was placed under different levels of crude protein viz 15%; 20%; and 25%. Weekly weight changes were monitored. Results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis including analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that prawns fed with 20% crude protein had the best growth rate. Specimens with the eyestalk and chelae removed also showed superior growth when compared with the others. Specimens that had their eyestalks removed were able to feed for 18 hours in the day while those with intact body fed for 6 hours during the same period. The amputation of the chelate appendages reduced considerably the cannibalistic urge in the prawns. This enabled a high number of prawns to be grown in the experimental tanks

Nutritional and anti-nutritional analyses of Azolla africana Desv. and Spirodela polyrrhiza L. Schleiden as feedstuffs for fish production

The chemical composition of Azolla africana and Spirodela polyrrhiza cultivated in earthen ponds were determined. Crude protein contents of the samples were 28.9~c0.6 and 25.6~c0.2% dry matter for A. africana and S. polyrrhiza respectively. Dry matter, crude fibre and lipid contents of A. africana were higher (P<0.05) than values obtained for S. polyrrhiza. Mineral analyses showed that S. polyrrhiza contained higher levels of Na, S, Ca, Mg and Fe than A. africana. Except for Ca content in S. polyrrhiza, heavy metals (Ni and Zn) accumulation in Azolla were very high. There were no wide differences in the individual amino acid indexes except for methionine. Some anti-nutritional factors were determined. Cyanide, tannin and phytin contents of fresh weed samples were higher than sun-dried samples. A. africana contained more cyanide and tannin than S. polyrrhiza both in fresh and sun-dried forms

The distribution and feeding habits of a cichlid fish Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) in Opa Reservoir, Ile-Ife

The distribution of Oreochromis niloticus was studied in Opa reservoir (Nigeria) using a graded set of gillnets while the food and feeding habits were studied using a castnet to collect the fish samples. About 90% of the fish specimens were caught near the reservoir bottom while about 69% of the specimens were caught within the inshore area of the reservoir. The species fed mainly on detritus, algae and higher plants. Feeding rhythm in O. niloticus started around 6.00 a.m. and reached a peak by 3.00 p.m. but then declined gradually until 6.00 p.m. These results can be utilized for the proper management of the fish species in the reservoir

Chromosomal and histological evidences of infertility in F2 and F2 backcross. Hybrid generations of Clarias anguillaris and Heterobranchus longifilis

Male meiosis was studied in 9 different mating combinations in parental, first, second and backcross generation hybrids of Clarias anguillaris and Heterobranchus longifilis. 27 bivalents were recorded in metaphase I for seven mating combinations. The number of bivalents in F1 hybrid male x C. anguillaris female could not be determined due to a high degree of clumping of the chromosomes. All metaphase I cells observed in female F1 hybrid x male H. longifilis had three complex bivalents consisting of 43.3% giant ring and 56.7% giant rod chromosomes. The number of ring bivalents per cell was higher in parental H. longifilis than parental C. anguillaris. The number of ring bivalents per cell increased from F1 (6.7 and 8.2) to F2 backcross (13.5) hybrid generations indicating increasing chromosomal instability of backcross hybrids over Fl and F2 hybrids

Induced diploid meiogynogenesis in the African clariid catfish Heterobranchus longifilis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Clariidae)

Diploid meiotic gynogenesis was induced in African catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis by injection of 0.5ml/kg ovaprim on the breeders, followed by application of UV light irradiation on the spermatozoa and temperature shocking of activated eggs. Diploidy was restored by shocking haploid activated eggs at 5 degree C for 40 minutes. The normal control spermatozoa did not receive any UV irradiation nor temperature shock, while the haploid control spermatozoa were irradiated, but did not receive cold shock. The percentage hatchability in the treated group was 25%, while in the control it was 53%. Less than 15 fingerlings had morphological aberrations. After two weeks of indoor rearing, the survival percentage of the treated group was 45% in the control experiment. Cytogenetic analysis of chromosomes revealed 25 chromosomes in the haploid embryo and 50 chromosomes each in diploid gynogenesis and normal diploid control

The variation of water quality in the outdoor concrete tank and earthen pond

The paper reports on the study carried out at the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries and Technology (Nigeria) and the Hatchery Complex in 1997. The physico-chemical parameters of an earthen fish pond and concrete tank were analysed. The abundance and distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton were recorded. A total of eight species of phytoplankton were observed. These species can be classified as Chlorophyceae (green algae), Bacillariophyceae (diatom algae) and Cyanophyta (blue-green algae). Eight zooplankton species were observed in the pond and 6 in the tank. Moina was observed and recorded as the most abundant cladoceran species in the tank

The hydrology of a small fish pond at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi Experimental Fish Farm

The monthly and seasonal water requirements of a small fish pond (0.068ha; maximum capacity of 613.83m super(3)) at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi Fish Farm (Benue, Nigeria) were determined during the period of February to August 1996. The sources of water for the pond were rainfall, (103.4cm), run-off (6.3cm) and regulated inflow (95.0cm). The water loss for the period were Evapotranspiration, (106.74cm), Seepage (71.64cm) and regulated discharge (25.00cm). Evapotranspiration was identified as the main source of water loss while rainfall was the major source of water gain. The mean monthly water deficit was 24.56~c11.43cm while the mean monthly surplus was 9.84~c8.05cm. The quantity of water required to maintain the optimal water level in the pond was 474.00m super(3). Preliminary water budget of the study area showed that rainfed aquaculture can be effectively carried out at Makurdi during the months of June to October with supplementary inflows during the dry season months

Indication of pollution in a teaching and research farm reservoir

The production and productivity of a water body is largely dependent on its quality. One major source of water pollution is from the agrochemicals from nearby farmlands. The quality of water in the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm Reservoir (Ile-Ife, Nigeria) was monitored between October, 1993 and March, 1994. Structured questionnaires were administered to obtain information on the types of agrochemicals in use on the farm. Water samples were collected fortnightly for analyses of the physico-chemical parameters and ionic content of the water. Investigation revealed that 21 agrochemicals had been in use on the farm. The physico-chemical parameters of the water showed that the water was very poor in nutrient. The high concentration of ammonium ion contents of the water shows an indication that the residues of certain agrochemicals got into the water to pollute it. Agrochemicals should be used with great caution on farmlands especially in areas close to water bodies from which man obtains fish and other proteinous foods. This paper also suggests a regular monitoring of water quality of reservoirs in order to pick the earliest signs of pollution