Assessment of the Relative Suitability of Glass Aquaria, Plastic Tanks and Clay Pots in the Hatchability, Survival and Growth of Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

The relative suitability of glass aquaria, plastic tank and clay pot in hatching eggs and rearing the fry of Clarias gariepinus was assessed over a period of 13 weeks. The study was conducted at the indoor hatchery of the Department of Water Resources, Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna. Eggs of Clarias gariepinus were fertilized, incubated and hatched in the various media. Percentage hatchability and fertilization were calculated to determine quality of the eggs. Relative performances of the resultant fry were assessed using survival, growth (weight/length gain and SGR) and K-factor as indicators. A hundred and ten (110) fry were randomly selected, batch weighed and stocked in each culture media. The samples were distributed in triplicates of five (5) samples. Significantly, higher percentages (75 %) of fertilization and hatching (90 %) were recorded in glass aquaria. The results also showed that fry in plastic tanks had the highest mean weight gain (2.69±1.73) and length gain (6.00±2.71) with significant difference (p<0.05). Similarly, the highest percentage, SGR (4.34±1.82) was in fry reared in plastic tanks (p<0.05). However, percentage survival 58.47±3.92) was highest in clay pot culture facility with a significance (p<0.05). the condition factor on the other hand revealed that glass aquaria (K=1.10) and plastic tank (K=1.00) provided better rearing conditions and suitability for rearing C. gariepinus fry as against the clay pot (K=0.80). It was therefore concluded that glass aquaria were the best for incubation and hatching of C. gariepinus larva, plastic tank was better suited for rearing the fry and clay pot culture facility is better survival of fry.