A practical investigation into catfish (Clarias gariepinus) farming in the Vaalharts irrigation scheme

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2006-05
Authors
Fourie, Josephus J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: A practical investigation into factors influencing the success of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) farming in the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme was undertaken. These factors were production, nutrition, disease, disease treatment, processing and marketing. Flow-through tarpaulin ponds in the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme were used very successfully for the propagation and rearing of Clarias gariepinus. The growth rate of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings stocked in an irrigation dam and a tarpaulin flow-through pond was determined and compared. The highest specific growth rate (1.61% bw/day) of fish in the irrigation dam coincided with the highest average monthly water temperature (26°C) recorded during the month of January 2005. The specific growth rate of fish in the flow-through ponds was lower (<1.27% bw/day) than that of fish in the irrigation dam. Fingerlings stocked at an average size of 8.9 g in the irrigation dam reached a size of 450 g within 216 days. The nutritional value and feed conversion rates (FCR) of two feed formulations were determined and compared. The percentage protein of these two feeds was 22.07% and 33.50%, respectively. Higher percentage feed protein levels coincided with better feed conversion rates. Except for an outbreak of white spot disease (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) in one hatchery pond, no significant mortalities of fish were recorded as a result of parasite infestations. Parasitic infestations were successfully treated in the Vaalharts hatchery using prophylactic formalin bath treatments. Fish processed yielded a fillet dressout percentage of 40%. Consumer resistance for catfish products were found in urban markets. In the semi-urban informal settlements, however, catfish were readily accepted.
Afrikaans: ‘n Praktiese ondersoek na die faktore wat die suksesvolle produksie van babers (Clarias gariepinus) in die Vaalhartsbesproeiingskema kan beïnvloed, is onderneem. Die faktore wat ondersoek is het produksie, voeding, siektes, behandeling van siektes, verwerking en bemarking ingesluit. Deurvloeibokseildamme in die Vaalhartsbesproeiingskema is met groot sukses vir die aanteel en grootmaak van C. gariepinus gebruik. Die groeitempo van C. gariepinus in ‘n deurvloeibokseildam en ‘n besproeiingsdam is bepaal en vergelyk. Die hoogste spesifieke groeitempo (1.61% liggaamsgewig/dag) van babers in die besproeiingsdam het met die hoogste gemiddelde maandelikse water temperature (26°C) wat gedurende Januarie 2005 aangeteken is ooreengekom. Die groeitempo van babers in die bokseildeurvloeidamme was laer (<1.27% liggaamsgewig/dag) vergeleke met die besproeiingsdam. Vingerlinge in die besproeiingsdam, met ‘n gemiddelde gewig van 8.9 g, het ‘n gemiddelde gewig van 450 g in 216 dae bereik. Die voedingswaarde en voer omsettingstempo van twee voerformulerings is bepaal en vergelyk. Die proteïenwaarde van die twee voere was 22.07% en 33.50%, onderskeidelik. Hoër proteïenwaardes het voorts met beter voeromsettingswaardes ooreengestem. Behalwe vir ‘n uitbraak van witkolsiekte (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis ) in een van die uitbroeidamme, is geen betekenisvolle vrektes as gevolg van parasietinfestasies aangeteken nie. Parasitiese infestasies in die Vaalhartsbroeiery is suksesvol voorkomend behandel met formalienbaddens. Verwerkte vis het ‘n 40% mootjieopbrengs gelewer. Verbruikerweerstand teen die gebruik van baberprodukte is in stedelike gebiede gevind. Hierteenoor is gevind dat baberprodukte geredelik deur persone in informele nedersettings aanvaar word.
Description
Keywords
Fish-culture -- South Africa -- Vaalharts, Catfishes -- South Africa -- Vaalharts, Tarpaulin flow-through pond, Specific growth rate, Feed conversion rate, Irrigation dam, Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme, Clarias gariepinus, Dissertation (M.Sc. (Zoology and Entomology))--University of the Free State, 2006
Citation