Growth performance of genetically modified tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultured in concrete pond

Abstract

The semi-intensive culture of tilapia is particularly ideal in developing countries because it provides a wide variety of options in management and capital investments. A total of 1000 Genetically Modified Tilapia (GMT), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry were stocked and reared in a concrete pond with a dimension of 1x1x5m for six months. The mean values of the water quality parameters during the rearing/experimental period were pH 7.25±0.31, temperature 25.85°C±2.98ºC; dissolve oxygen (DO) 4.166mg/L±0.55mg/L; Nitrate 9.44±1.91; Nitrite 40.99±1.38 and Ammonia 0.01. The fish specimens were fed twice a day (morning and evening) with coppens at three percent of their body weight and the parameters recorded were, 11.48 ± 5.4 8 MWG;177.6±122.9%MWG,204.6±19.2DRF:1.44±0.14WRF;6.14±0.57, MRF:0.67±0.38F CR:0.002±0.001 SGR, and 0.006±0.002 GEFC. The data indicated that mean weight gained (MWG) of Oreochromis niloticus increased gradually reaching its maximum. FCR values gradually decreased throughout the experiment which indicates that the lower the FCR the better it is for fish growth. The survival rates of the fish specimens during the experiment were 100 percent at different optimum temperatures, there was an increased trend in the growth with an increase in dietary protein level. It has been clearly verified from this experiment that all super male of Oreochromis niloticus grew better also in concrete pond. This result will promote the use of Genetically Modified Tilapia (GMT) in fish farming, because more weight are achieved and this will help to meet the goal of controlling tilapia prolific reproduction.