Two feeding trials were conducted to investigate the effects of pH level (pH 2.5, pH 3.7, pH 4.6, pH 5.7-control, pH 7.0, pH 8.0) and different acids (acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid and control-no acid) on growth, feed utilization and survival of tilapia. In experiments 1 and 2, the attractability of the diet were assessed. Results of the experiments are shown below.
The experimental diet at pH 4.6 resulted in significantly the best growth and feed utilization. Results showed that addition of any acid in the diet (hydrochloric, citric and acetic acid) resulted in better growth than that of the control group. This study demonstrated that pH and not actually the kind of acid diet promoted growth and efficiency in the Nile Tilapia fry.