Effect of Floating and Sinking Formulated Feed on Growth and Production of GIFT Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Earthen Ponds

Tilapia farming is a significant sector in global aquaculture, with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) being one of the most widely cultivated species. However, the continued increase in tilapia production raises concerns about genetic deterioration. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different types of farm-made and floating feeds on the growth performance of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) tilapia in an on-farm trial (OFT) conducted in a farmer’s pond in Namakkal District, India. GIFT tilapia fingerlings with an average weight of 3.25 ± 0.15g were stocked at a density of 50,000 fingerlings/ha across three feeding treatments. In Treatment 1 (T1), fish were fed low-cost handmade feed, while Treatment 2 (T2) used TNJFU feed, and Treatment 3 (T3) involved a commercially available floating feed with 34.53% crude protein. Fingerlings were initially fed twice a day at 18% of their body weight for the first 15 days, after which the feeding rate was gradually reduced to 1.8% until harvest. Growth was measured biweekly using a measuring board and balance. Water quality parameters, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia (NH3), nitrite (NO2), and nitrate (NO3) concentrations, were monitored, as these factors significantly influence fish growth, feed intake, health, and survival. Results cleared that final mean weight and weight gain were significantly (P≤0.05) better with (T3), while lower values were recorded with (T2 and T1), Feed intake was significantly decreased with (T3). FCR values were significantly better with T3 than T2 and T3. Survival rates insignificantly affected and ranged between 96 ± 0.88 (T3) and 85 ± 0.88(T2) 72± 0.58(T1). The Production and net profit showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in gross production and net profit per hectare across the treatments. Treatment (T3) resulted in the highest production (7247.47 ± 9.63 kg/ha) and net profit ($203,740), followed by Treatment (T2) with 6588.88 ± 38.14 kg/ha and $195,080, and Treatment (T1) with 5354.36 ± 23.61 kg/ha and $2,567.73. Based on results obtained in this study and on the economical evaluation, it could be concluded that feeding floating pellets were better than feeding sinking other types of pellets, in addition to the increasing of protein percentage in diet was best in terms of economic efficiency compared with other treatments.