Effect of Commercial and Maggot Feed on The Growth Performances and Survival Rate of Clarias Gariepinus Fingerlings

This study investigated the effect of commercial and maggot feeds on the growth performance and survival rate of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. A total of 200 healthy Clarias gariepinus fingerlings with an average initial weight of 0.6 ± 1.0 g were used for the experiment. The fingerlings were randomly allocated into four experimental tanks in a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of two treatments and two replicates each. The treatments included: T? (commercial feed) and T? (maggot feed). Water quality parameters were monitored monthly to ensure optimal fish health. The observed mean values were within the recommended ranges for Clarias gariepinus culture: temperature (25.00–26.00°C), pH (6.50–7.27), dissolved oxygen (4.70–5.65 mg/L). Proximate composition of commercial feed was 8.15% moisture, 45% crude protein, 10.82% crude fat, 1.9% crude fiber, 8.63% ash, and 25.5% carbohydrate. While maggot feed had 8.0% moisture, 48% crude protein, 37.8% crude fat, 5.89% crude fiber, 3.61% ash, and 4.70% carbohydrate. Fish fed maggot had a significantly higher final mean weight gain (21.10g) compared to those on commercial feed (20.87g). However, final mean standard length was higher in fish fed commercial (11.22cm) compared to those fed maggot (11.21cm), similarly final mean total length was highest in commercial fed fish (11.48cm), while maggot fed fish yielded (11.44cm) respectively. Fish fed commercial feed had a higher specific growth rate (14.28), and total feed intake (44.57), compared to fish fed maggot feed (13.39), and a total feed intake (42.92). Protein efficiency ratio was higher in fish fed maggot feed (1.298), while commercial fed fish had (1.062). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower in fish fed maggot feed (0.512) than in those fed commercial feed (0.519), indicating better feed utilization. The survival rate of fingerlings fed maggot feed was (65%), which was slightly higher than those fed commercial feed (53.4%). The findings demonstrate that maggot feed is a viable and sustainable alternative protein source to replace or supplement commercial fish feeds.