EFFECTS OF COLOUR OF CULTURE FACILITY (TARPAULIN) ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE & SURVIVAL OF Clarias gariepinus

It is important to note if the different colours of tarpaulin used for culture have effect on the growth performance and survival of Clarias gariepinus. The study was carried out in faculty of Agric cooperative farms located at Evboneka, Ovia North East local government area, Edo state. The research was designed as a factorial experiment made up of 3 colours of tarpaulin tanks (black, yellow and brown) x 18 weeks culture period in CRD. Each treatment replicated trice. Thus a total of nine culture units was used. The experimental unit was made up of 3 black, 3 brown and 3 yellow tarpaulin tanks each measuring 4x5m2. 2700 post fingerlings that is, 300 post fingerlings/tank were bought from a reputable hatchery and cultured for 18 weeks under semi-intensive system (10 fish/m2). The yellow tarpaulin tank had the highest mean weight (283.21g) followed by the black tarpaulin tank (247.964g) and brown tarpaulin tanks (249.42g) (P.<0.05)). The result also showed that fishes in yellow tanks had better FCR of 1.220) followed by brown tanks with 1.236 and black tarpaulin tanks with 1.251 as FCR. However, percentage survival was slightly higher in Black tanks (89.63), followed by the brown (89.30) and the lowest in the yellow tanks (88.86). This study showed that colour of culture facility may slightly affect fish growth and yield. Yellow tarpaulin tank appears to be brighter in colour and had relatively higher weight gain and is therefore recommended for C gariepinus culture over other tank colours (Black and brown).