GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF ALL MALE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS) FED COMMERCIAL AND ON–FARM COMPOUNDED DIET

This study was designed to investigate the suitability of on–farm compounded feed as an alternative to commercial expensive feed for the production of all male tilapia in outdoor system. Using Pearson's square method, locally available conventional feedstuffs (Soybeans, fishmeal and maize meal) were used to formulate equivalent crude protein (45 %) diet to the popularly used commercial aqua feed (Coppens). Fingerlings of All Male Tilapia were fed for eight weeks and assessed for growth. The result obtained reveals significantly higher performance with commercial diet compared to the compounded on–farm feed. Studies on alternating feeding system using on–farm and commercial diet are proposeded to reduce the cost of Tilapia production in undeveloped nations of the world. Keyword: Nile Tilapia, aqua feed, commercial diet, growth performance.