EFFECT OF STARVATION STATE FOR GROWTH OF CLARIAS MICROCEPHALUS x CLARIAS GARIEPINUS

Abstract

The effect of starvation conditions on the growth of hybrid catfish (Clarias microcephalus x Clarias gariepinus) was evaluated using a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 3 replicates. The catfish had initial weights of 0.66±0.03 grams and were raise at a density of 40 fish/cage. The starvation time was 0, 4, 7, and 14 days, respectively, after being reared for 56 days. The results showed that the hybrid catfish had average body weights of 54.03+3.92, 50.26+8.37, 34.83+1.96 and 22.73+2.37 grams, for fish subject to starvation for 0, 4, 7, and 14 days, respectively. Their average body lengths were 18.30+1.59, 17.73+1.11, 16.24+0.19 and 14.11+0.28 centimeters, respectively. Their growth rates were 0.823+0.073, 0.763+0.153, 0.486+0.037 and 0.266+0.041 grams/fish/day, respectively, which were significantly different (P<0.05). Their survival percentiles were 73.33+3.81, 79.16+9.46, 84.16+14.21 and 78.33+5.20, respectively. However, their survival rates were not statistically different (P>0.05).