Growth Performance of Two GIFT Strains of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Reared under Semi-Intensive Culture
Growth Performance of Two GIFT Strains of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Reared under Semi-Intensive Culture
Naeem Ahmad1,* and Zulqurnain2*
ABSTRACT
Genetically improved farm tilapia (GIFT), is derived through selective breeding from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) which is native to Africa, has been adopted as an important aquaculture fish worldwide in last few decades. Selection of the suitable strain for farming is always a critical decision for farmers. The purpose of the present study was to compare the growth performance of two GIFT strains (GIFT-Th, imported from Thailand; GIFT-Tw, obtained from a local hatchery) in two earthen ponds, fed with commercially available feed. Similar feeding regime and physical conditions were maintained for both treatments. It was found that there was no significant difference in final total length (TL) and standard length (SL) of the fish in both treatments (P>0.05). However, average monthly weight gain, final total wet weight (WW) and weight gain with increase in TL were higher in GIFT-Th as compared to GIFT-Tw (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in FCR, SGR and K values measured for both treatments (P>0.05). These findings suggested that GIFT-Th has better genetic factors for weight gain as compared to GIFT-Tw, and should be preferred for farming, however an economic analysis for both strains determining benefit to cost ratio is pre-requisite before final recommendations.
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December 2018
Vol. 50, Iss. 6, Pages 1999-2398
