Date Received: 18-04-2012 / Date Accepted: 28-06-2012 / Date Published: 13-06-2025
The experiment was carried out to investigate the suitable feed for Chilata ornatareared from fry to fingerling stage in earth ponds. The experimental fish with the mean size of 2- 3cm/fish were reared in earthen ponds at 4 fish/m2 and fed with three types of feed: TAHH (100% commercial pellet with 35 crude protein), HH&CT(50% commercial pellet (50% crude protein) and 50% flesh trash fish) and CT (100% flesh trash fish) for 36 days. The experiment were set up in two replications. The results showed that growth and survival of C. ornate; feed and protein efficiency were not significantly (P> 0.05) affected by the feed sources. Food conversion ratio was significantly (P< 0.05) lower in TAHH treatment than in other treatments. The lowest cost to gain 1kg fish was also observed in TAHH treatment which was significantly (P< 0.05) lower than those in other treatments. Environmental factors such as DO, NH3 and pH were in the safe range for C. ornataculture. It is recommended that commercial pellet (35% crude protein) can used as substitution for fresh trash fish for rearing C. ornatafrom fry to fingerling stage.
