The growth of aquaculture as an enterprise is hampered by the high cost of fish feed-based protein diets which account for 30-70% of production cost. The need for alternative and cheaper protein sources such as plant-based protein diets is paramount to guide fish farmers on feed efficacy and fish stocking densities. This study focused on the growth performance of fresh water acclimatized Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using fish meal (animal protein), soybean (plant protein) and wheat bran (control) formulated diets. Nile tilapia fingerlings of 12.5-16.8 g were cultured in hapa nets in three concrete based ponds and in stocking densities of 16 fish/m3, 11 fish/m3 and 6 fish/m3 for each feed treatment. Water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity were monitored twice a week. Initial and final body length and weight were recorded at the start of culture at and monitored throughout the experimental period on a fortnight basis for 60 days. Two-way ANOVA was used to determine if stocking density and feed treatment(s) had significant effect on fish growth performance. Result shows, weight gain of 11.28 ± 2.79 g was highest on soybean treatment. Stocking density of 6 fish/m3 recorded the highest percentage survival rate of 84.3 % on wheat bran treatment. The study concludes that Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings had a high feed utilization for soybean meal compared to fish meal and wheat bran and therefore Soybean meal and a stocking density of 6 fish/m3 can be adopted by farmers in the optimization and maximization of their fish produce. The results of this study can be used to formulate management options for the improvement of fish growth, and enhance food security and address vision 2030.
Key words: Stocking Density, Plant proteins, Animal proteins, Oreochromis niloticus