Aquaculture Africa 2023

November 13 - 16, 2023

Lusaka, Zambia

BIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS OF NOVEL AQUAFEED SOFTWARE ON AFRICAN CATFISH Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL, 1822) RAISED IN RECIRCULATORY AQUACULTURE SYSTEM

* 1  Olanipekun, S.O., 2 Gbadamosi, O.K. and 3 Fasakin, E.A.

*1 Department of Fisheries Technology, Federal Polytechnic Ile Oluji, Ondo State.

 2,3  Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, Telephone number:

 



 The creation of software for  fish feed formulation is evolving as a result of developments in computer technology. This study examined the impact of a newly developed aquafeed formulation software  named AQUAFEEDAPP  on the  bio-economic performance of African catfish fingerlings raised in a Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) for eight weeks. A total of 750 fingerlings with an average weight of ±4g were randomly distributed across 15 fiber tanks measuring 1m×1m×1m, with 50 fish per tank in triplicate treatments. The fingerlings were fed twice a day, between 8.00 hrs. to 9.00 hrs. and 17.00 hrs. to 18.00 hrs GMT for eight weeks under a recirculatory aquaculture system . The control treatment utilized Pearson square feed formulation, while the first treatment used WINFEED. The study measured various zootechnical parameters, including standard growth rate, final weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio, and mortality rate. The feed efficiency ratio was significantly higher in the fish fed WINFEED and AQUAFEEDAPP compared to those fed the control diet (Pearson square feed formulation). The cost index also showed significant differences (p≥0.05), with the AQUAFEED treatment having the lowest mean value, followed by WINFEED and the control diet. The carcass proximate composition of the fish was observed, with only moisture showing a significant difference. In summary, there were no significant differences between the control, WINFEED, and AQUAFEEDAPP treatments in terms of standard growth rate, final weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio, and mortality rate. However, the AQUAFEEDAPP software demonstrated its potential as a low-cost feed formulation method without compromising feed quality, based on its significantly lower cost index value.