Development of fish feeds for African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822) farming in Sierra Leone, West Africa

Abstract

This preliminary study was carried out to formulate high quality least-cost feed for the farming of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822) in Sierra Leone. Locally sourced feed ingredients with vitamin premixes, lysine and methionine were used to formulate a 45% crude protein feeds for the African catfish. Proximate contents determined for the practical feed were compared with two imported commercially produced feeds (Ranaan feed and Aller Aqua). Mean proximate values for protein, moisture, fat, fibre, ash and dry matter were 40.59 ± 2.22 to 42.16 ± 2.31%, 21.39 ± 0.23 to 22.77 ± 0.16, 0.30 ± 0.07 to 1.07 ± 0.04, 2.81 ± 0.14 to 3.28 ± 0.15%, 16.62 ± 0.06 to 17.60 ± 0.13%), and 77.22 ± 0.16 to 78.61 ± 0.23%, respectively. P in µg/g, Na in µg/g and percentage Ca were the minerals determined. Some of the values obtained, compared favourably with Ranaan and Aller Aqua at a cheaper cost. This study has shown that it is possible to develop a least-cost and nutrient rich feed for commercialization in Sierra Leone. Key words: Amino acids, formulated diet, proximate analysis, nutrient-rich, least-cost, Sierra Leone.