Assessment of the growth performance of cultured African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822)

Abstract

Fish morphometric studies is an important tool in the stock assessment and productivity estimation of aquaculture systems. The aim of the study was to assess the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus cultured in plastic tanks. Morphometric data were collected and analysed to establish the length-weight relationship (LWR) and assess the overall health condition through the condition factor (K). A total of 540 specimens were studied across nine tanks over a three-month period (September to November 2024). Results showed mean standard length of 30.03 cm and mean body weight of 334.07 g. The obtained overall growth coefficient (b) of 3.155 and mean condition coefficient (K) value of 1.102 is indicative of positive allometric growth and a healthy physiological condition of the fishes. These findings indicate that the exogenous culturing factors of feeding efficiency and water quality management practices utilized for plastic tank culturing of C. gariepinus is suitable for fish growth. This study has contributed to the body of knowledge on the successful culturing of C. gariepinus to marketable size in plastic-tanks; and has provided data for comparison with other culturing facilities.