Effect of Substitution of Artemia salina Protein by Soya Protein in Clarias gariepinus Larvae Compounded Diets: Growth, Feed Efficience and Survival

Artemia salina, the main first-feeding protein source of the catfish Clarias gariepinus larvae is relatively scarce and very expensive in Côte d'Ivoire and it raises the cost of catfish fingerlings production. To reduce the feed cost, feeding trial was completed with five isonitrogenous (35%) diets formulated by substituting artemia protein in control diet by soya protein at 25% (SB25), 50% (SB50), 75% (SB75) and 100% (SB100) level. Clarias gariepinus larvae initial body weight 0.0064 ± 0.001 g were stocked at 1 larvae L-1 and fed with the experimental diets three times daily ad libitum for 49 days. At the end of the growth trial, diets SB25 and SB50 present similar growth with the control diet. The low growth recorded from fish fed SB75 and SB100 highly affected final biomass despite the best survival rate recorded. Best values of feed conversion ratio were recorded from larvae fed control diet followed by SB25, SB50. High levels of soya proteins in diets affect feed palatability and larvae growth, vigour, motility and reactivity. Compounded feeds SB25 and SB50 can be used us low cost Clarias gariepinus larvae diets without adverse effects on growth and survival compared of artemia control diet.