Effects of different feed items on the growth and survival of endangered riverine catfish <i>Rita rita</i> (Hamilton)

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine a suitable feed for the desirable growth of
riverine catfish Rita rita (Hamilton) from January 2006 to December 2006. The experiment had
three treatments with three replicates. Nine chambers of the raceway each of size 1.83 × 1.12 sq
meter were used. Local prawn, chicken viscera and commercially available formulated feed (CP)
were supplied in treatment T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively at the rate of 7% body weight. Feed was
supplied twice in a day in the early morning and in the evening as the fish is nocturnal. The initial
average weight of fish was 24.93±0.05g, 24.99±0.04g and 24.95±0.04g in T₁, T₂ and T₃,
respectively. The final weight of the fish under three treatments was 425.05±1.04g, 425.68±1.05g
and 177.61±1.45g respectively. The initial length was 8.48±0.02, 8.49±0.02 and 8.50±0.01 in T₁, T₂
and T₃, respectively. The final length was 25.22±0.06 cm, 25.21±0.14 cm and 14.87±0.13 cm in T₁,
T₂ and T₃, respectively. The mean final weight and length was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T₁
and T₂ compared with T₃. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between T₁ and T₂
in terms of final weight and length was concerned. Better growth performances, however, were
observed in T₂ and T₁, where prawn and chicken viscera were supplied as feed respectively.
Lowest growth performance was observed in T₃ where formulated feed (CP feed) was supplied.

Key Words: Riverine Catfish; Feed; Growth; SGR; Survival.

DOI: 10.3329/ujzru.v28i0.5279

Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 28, 2010 pp. 11-14