REPLACEMENT OF GLYCINE MAX (L.) Merr. WITH TAMARINDUS INDICA L. SEED IN THE DIET OF OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) FINGERLINGS

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REPLACEMENT OF GLYCINE MAX (L.) Merr. WITH TAMARINDUS INDICA L. SEED IN THE DIET OF OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) FINGERLINGS

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background of the Study

Fish is an important source of both food and income to many people in developing countries. The exponential growth of the aquaculture sector during the past two decades is a result of the progressive intensification of production systems and use of quality feeds, which meet the nutritional requirements of cultured fish (FAO, 2006). Stimulated by higher global demand for fish, world fisheries and aquaculture production reached 157million tons in 2012 and is projected to reach about 172 million tons in 2021, with most of the growth coming from aquaculture (FAO, 2013). This increase of aquaculture production must be supported by a corresponding increase in the production of designed diets for the cultured aquatic animals (Rahman et al., 2013).

In culturing fish in captivity, nothing is more important than sound nutrition and adequate feeding and feeding takes up 50 to 60 percent of cost of production. If the feed is not consumed by the fish or if the fish are unable to utilize the feed because of some nutrient deficiency, then there will be no growth. An undernourished animal cannot maintain its health and be productive, regardless of the quality of its environment. The production of nutritionally balanced diets for fish requires efforts in research, quality control, and biological evaluation. Faulty nutrition impairs fish productivity and results in a deterioration of health until recognisable diseases ensues.

Tilapia is the common name given to three genera of fish in the family Cichlidae namely Oreochromis, Sarotherodon and Tilapia (Santiago and Laron, 2002). However, Tilapia is not the most cultured fish in Nigeria but regionally, tilapia is the most preferred cultured fish in East Africa and are the second most important cultured fish in the world after carps (El-Sayed, 2006). Tilapia growth is attributed to high resistance to diseases, ability to survive at low oxygen tensions and ability to feed on wide range of foods including feed with anti-nutrients contents. Nile tilapias are relatively inexpensive fish to feed unlike other carnivorous finfish thanks to their low trophic feeding level and herbivorous mode of feeding.

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REPLACEMENT OF GLYCINE MAX (L.) Merr. WITH TAMARINDUS INDICA L. SEED IN THE DIET OF OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) FINGERLINGS