Use of swan mussel (Anodonta cygnea (Linne, 1758)) as a feed additive for african catfish (Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822))

Purpose. Uzbekistan aquaculture has a huge deficit of balanced feed. In a case of feed production from local ingredients, the problem is the lack of stable source of animal protein. The purpose of this experiment was to find out how swan mussel Anodonta used as a feed additive for African catfish will affect fish growth. Methodology. Minced Anodonta was prepared as follow: mussels were collected from the bottom of ponds after fish harvesting; the collected mussels were kept in the separate aquarium; every day several mussels were taken out, their shells were opened and muscle parts were separated the (mostly mussel leg); then the separated muscle were kept for disinfection in KMnO4 solution of low concentration during 20 min and then crushed to a minced state. Feed was given to African catfish according to a special scheme at the rate of 7% of the fish weight. The control group did not receive the minced mussels and fish were fed with carp feeds.The mixed feed in the experimental group #1 consisted of 50% carp feed and 50% minced mussel. In the experimental group #2, African catfish were fed with minced mussels only. Findings. The experiment showed the clear advantage of feed containing 50% of minced clams and 50% of carp feed. The African catfish fed with this feed significantly overtook fish from the control group in weight because this feed turned out to be either the most balanced in composition or better absorbed by catfish. In the control group, the 100% mixed feed gave an increase of 83.8% in weight and 20.5% in length; in the experimental group #1, the feed (50% mixed feed : 50% minced mussel) gave an increase of 136% in weight and 31.1% in length; at the experiment #2 (100% minced mussel), the feed gave an increase of 95.5% and 20.1% in length. Originality. For the first time the swan mussel was used as a source of animal protein for African catfish.This experiment was conducted for the first time, and it was also found for the first time that the addition of minced swan mussel to the feed of African catfish contributed to a significant weight gain compared to the conventional feed:52.5% more compared to conventional feed and 40.5% more compared to pure minced swan mussel. Practical value. Aquaculturenow is in search of source of animal proteinin connection with growing global deficit of a high quality fishmeal for fish feed production. Use of bivalve mollusks Anodonta, which are also a pest in pond farms, is promising feed for obtaining physiologically determined weight gains. Key words: aquaculture, Africaт catfish (Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)), feed, animal protein, plant protein, water quality, swan mussel (Anodonta cygnea (Linne, 1758)), weight gain.