DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2015.v02i02.014

Pages: 144-148

Maggot - meal was used to replace fishmeal in feed formulated, to feed 75 fingerlings of hybrid Heteroclarias randomly distributed in fives into 15 tanks of dimension 1m x 1m x 1m and grouped in threes to form 5 treatments labeled IA-C – VA-C. Fingerlings in each treatment were respectively fed rations with 0.0, 33.3 50.0, 66.6, and 100.0% replacement levels of fishmeal with maggot meal to determine the optimum replacement level and reduce cost of fish production. This study, revealed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the growth of specimens fed rations with 0.0, 33.3 and 50.0 % replacements, but were significantly different (P <0.05) from those fed rations with 66.6 and 100 % replacement. All specimens, were in good condition, with ‘K’ values being higher than 1. Food conversion ratio (FCR) for specimens fed rations with 66.6 and 100.0 % replacements were not significantly different (P>0.05), but were significantly different (P<0.05) from those fed with other rations. The specific growth rate (SGR) of specimens fed rations with 50.0 % replacement was significantly different (P<0.05) and better than results of specimens fed other rations. The study has proved that maggot-meal can be successfully used to replace fishmeal up to 50.0 % replacement level in fish feed production, without compromising fish production. This will result in a reduction in the cost of feed, maintain optimal production and reduce the cost of fish produced.