GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF TILAPIA MOLOBICUS HYBRID (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS X OREOCHROMIS MOSSAMBICUS) USING VARIOUS COMMERCIAL DIETS

The study on the growth and survival of Tilapia Molobicus Hybrid (Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis mossambicus) using various commercial diets was conducted at the Mindanao State University, College of Fisheries Laboratory and Research Station (CFLRS), Brgy. Siguel, General Santos City for a period of sixty (60) days from February 17 to April 18, 2021. Nine (9) units of 1m x 1m x 1.5m net cages were installed in the pond as enclosures for the experimental animals. Each net cage was stocked with 50 Molobicus tilapia with an initial body weight of 8.27g. The fingerlings were fed daily with different commercial diets (Treatment I - Feed 1 with 36% crude protein, Treatment II - Feed 2 with 35% crude protein, Treatment III - Feed 3 with 26% crude protein) Complete Randomized Design was used in the study with three treatments replicated three times. The data were analysed using SPSS version 2.2.

Highest mean body weight, mean weight gain, mean daily growth, and mean feed conversion ratio was attained in Treatment I with 74.59g, 66.32g, 1.6g/day, and 1.8, respectively. It was followed by Treatment II with 61.71g, 53.44g, 1.2g/day, and 2.0, respectively, and lastly by Treatment III with 40.97g, 40.70g, 1.3g/day, and 2.4, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that the three treatments were significantly different (p<0.05) with each other.

In terms of survival (%). Treatment I had 97% followed by Treatment II with 96% and Treatment III with 95%. Statistical analysis showed that the treatments were not significant (p>0.05).

Water quality parameters recorded showed that temperature readings ranged from 27.6-29.7 °c, pH ranged from 7.2-8.3, while dissolved oxygen ranged from 5.2-6.5 ppm, salinity ranged from 28-30 ppt.,ammonia ranged from 0-0.2ppm and transparency was clear at 1m. The observed water parameters ranges were found to be tolerable to the Molobicus tilapia.

The study has shown that Treatment I manifested the best result in terms of growth, survival and FCR.