GROWTH PERFORMANCE STUDY OF GIFT TILAPIA FRY AT DIFFERENT SALINITY LEVELS

GIFT tilapia fry of mean initial weight of 0.15 g ± 0.05g were properly acclimatized  with a gradual increase in salinity at a rate of 5 g L^-1 per day until reaching the desired salinity level in 40-L plastic trough at a stocking density of 10 fish per trough. Experimental  fries were fed with commercial diet of 40% crude protein content for 90 days. Effect of salinity on growth performance and overall survival were studied at different range of salinities 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g L^-1.

GIFT tilapia fry were sampled ten days intervals during the entire experiment to assess the growth rate against different salinity ranges. Significant (P < 0.05) effects of salinity on growth performance were assessed.

The research study showed that the final average body weight at 5 g L^-1 salinity treatment was significantly (<0.05) differed from 15 g L^-1 salinity group. There was no significant difference in final mean body weight of 0 and 15 g L^-1 treatment groups. However, fry growth at 15 g L^-1 saline treatment group showed an improved performance of 3.527 ± 0.249 in specific growth rate and 1.74 ± 0.171 of FCR compared to the other treatments. Higher survival rate was observed at 0 ppt as control, with 96.667%.