DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2025.v13i12.009

Pages: 1634-1639

The present study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of the Brazilian strain of Oreochromis niloticus fed floating pellets and a locally formulated powdered feed in major aquaculture areas of Côte d’Ivoire. A total of 28,800 male fingerlings (mean initial weight: 6.75 ± 2.21 g) of the Brazilian strain of O. niloticus were stocked in six 400 m² earthen ponds located in six fish-farming localities across the country. Fish were fed two types of diets: floating industrial pellets and a locally formulated powdered feed. Survival rates ranged from 85 to 94%, with an average of 89.54 ± 2.87%. Final mean weights varied from 294 ± 41 to 475 ± 41 g. The highest values were recorded in fish fed floating pellets in Gagnoa, while the lowest were observed in fish receiving powdered feed in Bouaké. Specific growth rates ranged from 2.85 ± 0.23 to 3.24 ± 0.21% day⁻¹ and followed trends similar to those of final mean weight. Floating pellets resulted in lower apparent feed conversion ratios (1.83–2.07) compared to powdered feeds (1.94–3.14). These findings highlight the influence of feed type and local environmental conditions on the zootechnical performance of O. niloticus and confirm the advantage of floating pellets in improving fish productivity.