Optimum histidine requirement of fry African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Dietary histidine requirement of fry African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (2.57 ± 0.02 cm; 0.22 ± 0.03 g) was quantified by feeding casein–gelatin-based isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.90 kJ g⁻¹ gross energy) amino acid test diets with graded levels of histidine (0.25%, 0.30%, 0.35%, 0.40%, 0.45% and 0.50% dry diet) in eighteen 80 L indoor circular aqua-coloured troughs provided with the flow-through system for 12 weeks. Maximum absolute weight gain (2.66), best feed conversion ratio (1.29), highest protein efficiency ratio (1.94), protein retention efficiency (34%) and energy retention efficiency (70.4%) were achieved at 0.40% dietary histidine. Broken-line and non-linear regression models were adopted to assess dietary histidine requirement for C. gariepinus . When analysed using broken-line regression model these parameters were also best at 0.40% dietary histidine corresponding to 1.0% protein, respectively, whereas using second-degree polynomial regression analysis, histidine requirement was obtained at 0.42%, 0.41%, 0.40%, 0.41% and 0.41% of dry diet, corresponding to 1.05%, 1.02%, 1.0%, 1.02% and 1.02% protein respectively. Based on the broken-line and second-degree polynomial regression analyses of the growth and nutrient retention data, optimum histidine requirement of fry C. gariepinus was found to be in the range of 0.40–0.42% dry diet, corresponding to 1.0–1.05% of dietary protein.     

Controlled hatchery production of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822): an estimate of maximum daily feed intake of C. gariepinus larvae

Abstract. The satiation time, stomach capacity, gastric evacuation rate and return of appetite were investigated in Clarias gariepinus larvae. The evacuation of food from the stomach was described by the exponential model. Gastric evacution was found to be inversely related to return of appetite. Both satiation time and feed intake as a % of body weight were found to increase rapidly over the first few days of larval feeding, after which they remained constant. A simple model is proposed for the estimation of maximum feed intake in relation to feeding scheduled and feeding frequency for Clarias gariepinus larvae.     

Controlled hatchery production of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822): an investigation of tank design and water flow rate appropriate for Clarias gariepinus in hatcheries

Circular tanks are appropriate for Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) culture. Wide/shallow tanks (with a diameter to depth ration of about 10) are preferable to narrow/deeper tanks. The optimal flow rate for larvae will be one which provides sufficient oxygen yet does not generate a current velocity fast enough to cause them to swim against it. However, current velocity, for a given type and orientation of inflow, will depend particularly upon tank diameter to depth ratio and flow rate and will be related to position within the tank. Therefore for a given circular tank design a theoretical maximum flow rate and concomitant biomass can be estimated for a given mean fish size. Once airbreathing begins the optimal flow rate for fry is simply that which does not elicit swimming.     

Nicotinic acid supplementation of diets for the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Semi-purified diets containing 39% crude protein and 5% lipid were used to identify the qualitative requirement of African cattish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), for niacin and to characterize the pathologies associated with a deficiency of this vitamin. After 48 days of feeding, C. gariepinus supplied with the unsupplemented diet had developed severe deficiency symptoms and were subsequently withdrawn from the growth study. Niacin deficiency was characterized by feed refusal, listlessness, weight loss, poor feed utilization and high mortality. The skin overlaying the lateral line of the deficient fish became haemorrhagic and this clinical sign was accompanied by severe anaemia. After 126 days of feeding, fish fed diets containing 17.0 mg niacin kg^?1 had also developed a dermopathy. but without anaemia or high mortality. The feeding of diets containing less than 33.1 mg niacin kg^?1 resulted in suboptimal feed efficiency and poor protein utilisation. Allometric analysis of proximate composition indicated that carcass moisture, protein and ash were influenced by fish size, and not by dietary niacin content. However, significantly more lipid per unit of weight gain was deposited in the carcasses of fish fed the unsupplemented diet than in fish fed diets containing 17.0mgkg^?1. The indicators used in the present study could not be applied to accurately determine a value for niacin requirement. However, until a more accurate assessment is performed, it is recommended that diets for C. gariepinus contain not less than 33.1 mg nicotinic acid kg^?1 feed.     

Controlled hatchery production of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell): growth and survival of larvae at high stocking density

Abstract. The mean increase in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), weight with time over the entire larval period can be approximated by a cubic or exponential growth model. However, the growth rate indices specific growth rate ( k ) and the regression coefficient of a cube root transformation of the weight data ( b ), both vary significantly when measured over successive short intervals from first feeding. In particular, the onset of air breathing is associated with a significant depression in growth rate. The variation in specific growth rate ( k ) with larval age closely approximates the relationship between mean % increase in body weight per day and larval age; however, the cube root regression coefficient does not share this property. In addition to the effect of larval age the growth rate of African catfish larvae is significantly affected by the initial density at which they are stocked (between 25 and 250 larvae/1) and interactions between age and stocking density. Survival over the larval period, of 80% or more, is apparently unaffected by initial stocking density (between 50 and 250larvae/I); however, the onset of air breathing in particular is associated with an increase in fish deaths.     

Effect of extenders on sperm cryopreservation of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

The effect of extenders was studied on the cryopreservation of sperm from African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell). The following six basic extenders were tested: fructose, glucose, sucrose, NaCl, KCl solutions and the artificial seminal plasma of the African catfish. Each of these extenders was tested both with and without buffer systems (i.e. NaHCO₃-CO₂ and Tris-HCl) by using 10% dimethyl-sulphoxide (DMSO) as a cryoprotectant. The two-step freezing was carried out in a programmable freezer by using the following freezing rates: (1) 4 °C min^–1 between 3 and –4 °C; (2) and 11 °C min^–1 between –4 and –80 °C. The best post-thaw motility (25%) was achieved with 333 mmol L^–1 fructose solution and NaHCO₃ buffer. The fertilization experiments were carried out with unbuffered fructose and glucose extenders using various amounts of sperm and two fertilization methods: (1) dry and (2) wet. The best fertilization rates were achieved with 75 μL of sperm and wet fertilization with glucose extender, or 100 μL of sperm and dry fertilization in case of fructose – both methods fertilized 96% of all eggs.     

Controlled hatchery production of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822): growth and survival of fry at high stocking density

Abstract. The growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) fry was investigated at high stocking density. Significant increases in mean fry weight, and concomitant significant decreases in specific growth rate, were recorded over successive 5-day periods. Fry growth was negatively density dependent. Fry survival was in excess of 90% in all treatments. Increasing stocking density between 50 and 150 fish/l altered the pattern of mortality; non-cannibalistic deaths decreased significantly with increasing stocking density though cannibalism did not significantly increase. Periods of weaning fish onto larger feed particles were associated with temporarily increased rates of cannibalism.     

Inherent variation in growth efficiency of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) juveniles

Understanding the major causes of growth variation is crucial for the success of fish farming since its reduction contributes to maximize production efficiency, reduce food waste and improve water quality. The growth variation observed in aquaculture has been associated with the establishment of social hierarchies. However, some studies suggest that this variation may not be mainly a consequence of social hierarchies but mainly a result of inherent (genetic) differences. This study investigates the magnitude of individual responses, independently of group effects (fish housed individually), in growth efficiency and feeding behaviour of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822). Despite the low variation in initial body weight (6.5%) and cumulative feed consumption (7.5%) over the experimental period, catfish exhibited high variation in final body weight (18.1%), specific growth rate (17.2%) and feed conversion ratio (27.9%), suggesting that individual variation in growth efficiency is important in determining growth rate. This individual variation may be related with individual differences in protein/fat deposition since faster growing fish deposited more protein and less fat than slower growing fish. Pronounced individual differences in feeding behaviour (reaction towards feed and time spent eating) were also observed and correlated with individual differences in growth efficiency. Fast eaters were the fast growers. We suggest that the growth variation observed in African catfish may be inherent and that the use of grading to increase uniformity should be further investigated.     

Optimal dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted in a recycling water system at 28±1°C to investigate carbohydrate to lipid ratio (CHO:L ratio) in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (12.32±0.04g). Five isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isoenergetic (20kJg^–1 gross energy (GE)) fishmeal based diets with varying carbohydrate to lipid (CHO:L g/g) ratios of 0.74, 1.13, 1.66, 2.47 and 3.42 for diets 1–5, were tested, respectively. The diets containing a fixed protein to energy ratio (P:E ratio) of 20-mg proteinkJ^–1 GE were fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (per 30-L tank). Fish were fed 5% of their body weight per day adjusted fortnightly. Diet 1, containing 14% carbohydrate and 21% lipids with a CHO:L ratio of 0.74 produced the poorest (P<0.05) growth rates, feed and protein efficiency. Increasing carbohydrate content in the diets to 27% concomitant with a reduction in lipid content to 16% with a CHO:L ration of 1.66 of diet 3 significantly improved (P<0.05) growth rates, feed and protein efficiency. A further increase in dietary carbohydrate up to 38% and a decrease in lipids levels to 11% with a CHO:L ratio ranging from 1.66 to 3.42 (diet 3 – 5) did not significantly improve the fish performance. Apparent net protein utilisation (ANPU) of fish fed diet 4 was higher (P<0.05) than for diets 1–3 but did not differ from diet 5. Higher lipid deposition (P<0.05) in whole body and liver were observed with decreasing dietary CHO:L ratios as increasing lipid levels. Whole body protein and liver glycogen content, digestive enzyme activities (protease and lipase) and histological examination of intestine and liver of fish fed varying CHO:L diets did not show any discernible changes among the dietary treatments. However intestinal -amylase activity increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary carbohydrate levels. This study revealed that African catfish can perform equally well on diets containing carbohydrate ranging from 27 to 38% of the diet, with lipid content ranging from 16 to 11% or at CHO:Lg/g ratio of 1.7–3.4.     

Effect of light intensity on early ontogeny of African sharptooth catfish,Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Light intensity during the early life stages of fish can have profound effects on their survival, developmental rate, yolk utilization efficiency and body size. Here, these aspects were analysed during two separate experiments (with or without exogenous food) on two distinct progenies of African sharptooth catfish, at five different light intensities (<0.1, 70, 500, 2500 and 8000 Lx; 24L:0D, 27.2°C). The duration of the egg incubation period (from 1.01 to 1.25 days post fertilization, dPF) was inversely proportional to light intensity, as hatching took place at more precocious developmental stages with increasing light intensity, i.e. at significantly (P < 0.05) shorter body length and slightly more abundant remaining yolk at 8000 Lx in comparison to <0.1 Lx. At the start of exogenous feeding (4 dPF), most of these differences had vanished. During the period of mixed feeding (until the end of yolk absorption, 11 dPF), growth decreased significantly with increasing light intensity. Daily mortality rates after hatching varied very little between light intensities. Mortality during egg incubation increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing light intensity, whereas it varied very little between light intensities thereafter, with the best survival rates since fertilization until the end of yolk absorption obtained at intermediate light intensities (70–2500 Lx). These results could be useful for improving the performance of African sharptooth catfish hatcheries.     

The urogenital papillae as an indicator of sexual maturity in male African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, (Burchell, 1822)

The present study investigated a non‐invasive method based on macroscopic morphological features of male Clarias gariepinus for the assessment of sexual maturity stage. As African catfish cannot be stripped for semen as in most other fish species; they have to be killed to obtain semen from the testes. This method could be used to ensure that males used to obtain sperm are sexually mature to increase the concentration and quality of mature sperm for egg fertilization in the production of C. gariepinus. Morphological features including the length and width of the urogenital papillae (UGP), an external secondary sexual characteristic of C. gariepinus (n = 89) were measured and calculated as a percentage of total body length. The urogenital papillae length (L_UGP) and width (W_UGP) index of each fish were used and compared with the macroscopic and microscopic maturity stage of the testes. The results revealed that although positive, a significant correlation does not exist between the L_UGP or W_UGP and maturity stage of the testes. Therefore, although this procedure would be valuable as an initial non‐invasive assessment of maturity, it does not provide an accurate or reliable indication of the maturity stage of the fish.     

Approaches to optimizing dietary protein to energy ratio for African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted in a recycling water system at 28 ± 1 °C to investigate protein to energy ratio (P/E ratio) in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (10.9 ± 0.04 g). Six fishmeal‐based diets of two protein levels (330 and 430 g kg^?1), each with three lipid levels (40, 80 and 120 g kg^?1) resulted in P/E ratios ranging from 15.5 to 21.3 mg protein kJ^?1 gross energy (GE) were fed to 20 fish (per 30‐L tank) in triplicate. Fish were fed 50 g kg^?1 of their body weight per day adjusted fortnightly. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) growth rates and feed conversion efficiency were evident in fish fed with higher protein diet. The highest growth rate was found by fish fed 430 g kg^?1 protein, 21.2 kJ^?1 GE with a P/E ratio of 20.5 mg protein kJ^?1 GE. Significantly indifferent (P > 0.05) values of protein utilization were found in‐between the both (higher and lower) protein diets. Higher lipid deposition (P < 0.05) in whole body and liver was observed with increasing dietary lipid level at each protein diet and as higher (P < 0.05) for the lower protein diets. Liver glycogen tended to decrease with increasing gross energy at each protein diet and higher protein diet showed comparatively lower values (P > 0.05). Digestive enzyme activities (protease and lipase) and histological examination of intestine and liver of fish fed varying P/E diets found no significant differences in response to experimental diets. The study reveals that African catfish C. gariepinus performed best the diet containing 430 g kg^?1, 21.2 kJ g^?1 and 20.5 mg protein kJ g^?1 GE protein, gross energy and P/E ratio, respectively.     

Toxicity of four commonly used chemotherapeutic compounds to fry of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Acute toxicity tests were carried out for four compounds commonly used against various fish pathogens to determine their 24-h LC₅₀ values to fry of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell). Compounds tested and their calculated 24-h LC₅₀ values (mg l^?1) were as follows: praziquantel (13.4); malachite green oxalate (0.14); acriflavin neutral (10.0); and mebendazole (315). The results show that dosage levels of malachite green oxalate, praziquantel and acriflavin neutral recommended in the literature for the control of most fish ectoparasitoses caused substantial mortalities and cannot be applied to Clarias gariepinus fry.     

Temperature and dietary factors affecting the nitrogen efflux rates of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Total ammonia and total nitrogen efflux rates of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), were measured under different temperature conditions (20, 25 and 30^°C) and feeding regimes (50% protein, 40% protein and non-fed for 10 days). Both ammonia and nitrogen efflux rates were directly related to temperature. At all experimental temperatures, the 50%-protein-fed groups excreted higher levels of ammonia nitrogen than both the 40% protein and non-fed groups. No correlation of relative ammonia efflux (% ammonia/nitrogen) with either temperature or diet was observed under these experimental conditions. Such alterations caused by temperature and diet may have significant implications for an aquaculture system as low levels of dissolved ammonia are synonymous with optimum water quality.     

Urea and ammonia excretion by embryos and larvae of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

Yolk-sac larvae and starved larvae of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822), reared at 28°C, were predominantly ammonotelic, but urea excretion contributed about 19±7% to the total nitrogen excretion. Exogenously feeding larvae of C. gariepinus were mainly ammonotelic until 180-205 h post fertilization, but from then on the relative urea excretion stabilized at 44±13%. The contents of total free amino acids (FAA) and ammonia in C. gariepinus peaked around complete yolk absorption. During the first period after hatching 64% of the FAA and 60% of the total ammonia were located in the yolk compartment. The body compartment contained the highest amount of FAA and total ammonia at the end of the yolk-sac period (65 and 77%, respectively). The amount of nitrogen originating from catabolism of amino acids was balanced within 6% by the excreted sum of ammonia and urea. The high degree of ureotelism in C. gariepinus larvae may constitute an adaptive mechanism to a habitat of temporal water shortage.     

Artificial reproduction and fingerling production of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822), in protected and unprotected ponds

In order to obtain an appropriate and reliable method for the mass production of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) fingerlings. experiments on artificial reproduction and pond rearing were carried out in the Republic of Congo in 1987-1991. Reproduction could be induced throughout the year using common carp pituitaries (3 mg kg^?1 female). The average relative fecundity of females varied between 1.3%± 0.3 (SEM) and 14.3%±1.3 (SEM). The average hatching percentage of the eggs varied between 28.4%± 4.5 (SEM) and 59.1%± 3.7 (SEM) respectively, in the dry and rainy season. The fluctuation of the relative fecundity as well as the fluctuation of the hatching percentage follows the seasonal fluctuation in rainfall and temperature. The use of a net cage made of mosquito netting (1 m³, 0.5 mm mesh size) and the roots of water hyacinth (E. crassipes) as an egg incubator proved to be reliable. In ponds not protected against frogs an average of 5.0 ± 2.9 (SEM) fingerlings m^?2 per 40 days cycle were obtained, whereas in ponds completely surrounded by a wall of aluminium roof plates (0.8 m high) the average production was 32.3 ± 3.3 (SEM) fingerlings nr- per 40 days cycle, when they are stocked with approximately 100 larvae m^?2. Increasing the larval stocking density or extending the rearing period did not improve the final production. The main causes of low production in unprotected ponds are competition for food resources due to the presence of phytophagous frog larvae and cannibalism among the fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus. An analysis showed that the system is labour orientated, technically reliable and economically feasible when the fingerlings can be sold for USS 0.07 apiece.     

A simulation model for the metabolism of yolk sac larvae of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Abstract. In fish larvae there is a strong natural selection for high yolk utilization efficiencies and high yolk absorption rates. Larvae with higher absorption and utilization will be larger at the onset of exogenous feeding, leading to higher survival and growth rates in the following stages of development. Modelling can be a powerful tool in clarifying the processes of fish larvae metabolism, providing the model is as explanatory as possible. The present model considers the larvae as a two-compartment system: the yolk sac and the larval body. This system exchanges oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, ammonia and heat with the environment. Yolk is absorbed through the syncytium, digested, and the resulting nutrients are released into the blood circulation. Circulating amino acids and fatty acids are considered to be used first for respiration, and what is left will be used for growth. From the moment that absorbed nutrients do not satisfy the energy needs, embryo tissue starts to be catabolized. Temperature is the only environmental factor which was assumed to affect significantly the metabolic processes. From the comparisons between simulations and experimental data, the simulations would appear to be accurate until complete yolk absorption, losing accuracy afterwards. Simulation outputs suggest that fat is the main energy substrate during yolk absorption, with protein becoming progressively more important, being predominant during starvation. Ideal culture conditions for African catfish yolk sac larvae seem to include: the highest temperature that combines with acceptable mortality rates; selection of broodstck towards obtaining the largest egg size, insofar as viability is not affected; the start of feeding as close as possible to 144 physiological day-degrees.     

Terminology for the early developmental stages of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell): working definitions for aquaculture

There is a difficult path to tread between strictly accurate scientific nomenclature, which definitively and clearly characterizes exact developmental stages, and the vernacular names popularly used in the fish culture industry. On the one hand, the recognition of early life stages by the culturist is important because the requirements of young fish change rapidly with age (e.g. Hogendoorn 1980; Verreth & Van Tongeren 1989). On the other hand, recognition of microscopic changes can be more subjective than definitive and may be of no actual benefit in fish culture. Working definitions of developmental stages for aquaculture are therefore most usefully practical ones. In response to calls for a clear definition regarding the length of the larval period, in order to enhance the compatibility of different studies (Verreth & Van Tongeren 1989), the following definitions for African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) are suggested.