A Comparative Study On Growth And Nutritional Value Of Farmed And Wild Nile Tilapia

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fish diets on growth, carcass proximate composition and organoleptic quality of farmed Nile tilapia (Oreoclzromis niloricus) and compared with the wild stock from Lake Victoria The purpose was to facilitate in the formulation of fish feed that is economically viable, and also produces quality meat. Three treatments comprising of maize bran, on farm formulated diet and a control supplied with natural food were tested. The experiment was conducted in triplicate for six months in nine randomly assigned fertilized earthen ponds. Sampling was carried out fortnightly to monitor growth in weight, while carcass proximate analysis was done monthly, using Association of Official Analytical Chemistry methods (AOAC, 1984). Fish that were fed on formulated diet grew significantly faster (P<0.05) than those in the other dietary treatments. The control treatment recorded significantly (P<0.05) the least weight gain. There were no significant differences in the carcass proximate composition with the exception of the Lipid content which was significantly different (P<0.05) among treatments. When the fish from the three treatments were compared with the wild from Lake Victoria, only fish fed on formulated feed did not differ significantly in the carcass composition. The taste and texture of the cooked meat demonstrated significant differences (P<0.05) between wild fish and those fed on maize bran. The sensory assessors could not, however distinguish between fish, which were fed on formulated feed, and those from the wild. In conclusion, formulated diets promoted superior growth of tilapia while maintaining high carcass quality similar to that of the fish from the wild. Therefore the formulated feeds are recommended as diets for O. niloricus. ‘.