J. Theron

The genotypic influence of four strains of Clarias gariepinus on the larvae body proximate, total lipid fatty acid, amino acid and mineral compositions

The larval growth potential of four African sharptooth catfish strains over a 56 day growth period was evaluated and found to differ significantly between strains. Strain strongly influenced body total lipid, but not body protein content. Body total lipid content was associated with growth rate. The body amino acid content was not strongly influenced by strain. Strain had an influence on total body lipid fatty acid composition, although no fixed trend was established. Although strain influenced the body mineral profile, no fixed trends were manifested.

COMPARISON OF FISH GONADS AND FISH MEAL AS MAJOR COMPONENTS IN THE DIETS OF YOUNG AFRICAN SHARPTOOTH CATFISH, CLARIAS GARIEPINUS (BURCHELL)

Summary The replacement of fish-meal (two sources, arbitrarily designated FMA and FMB), with either freeze dried (GVD) or oven dried (GOD) gonads of Clarias gariepinus in a starter diet for larvae of this species, was tested. No significant difference in larval growth rates was noted between the various protein sources, although fish receiving FMA had a significantly lower final body weight (p ≤ 0.05). Fish which received gonads as a protein source had a significantly higher total body lipid (GOD = 28.47% Dry Mass—DM) than those receiving fish-meal (FMA = 13.97% DM). The whole body fatty acid composition was influenced by that of the fatty acid composition of the protein source. The hepatocytes of the fish receiving the gonads as protein source showed 100% lipid accumulation and degenerative changes, whilst those from fish-meal fed fish showed none.