Growth, Survival and Feed Conversion Efficiency of Grouper (Epinephelus sp.) Fed with Locally Available Feeds

Abstract

A preliminary study was conducted on the use of locally available cheap protein sources as feeds for grow-out culture of groupers in floating netcages. Feeds used were golden snail, fish waste and trash fish fed ad libitum to groupers once every two days.

Results indicated a daily feed consumption of 4.15 to 4.59 percent fish body weight during the culture period. A significantly higher FCE, FCR, biomass, weight gain, and total length were observed among groupers fed with trashfish and fish waste compared to those fed with golden snail feed. A significantly higher length gain was also noted among groupers fed with trashfish.

Both trashfish and fishwaste are recommended as feeds for groupers. Golden snails can be utilized as a feed ingredient but not as a sole protein source.