Response of Oreochromis niloticus to graded levels of crude proteins

Completely randomized design with triplicates was used to carry out twelve weeks nutrimental experiment to determine the exact crude protein (CP) requirement specifically for, optimal growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus fry that has adapted to the New Bussa environmental condition with the objective of producing all-male tilapia from the brood stock stage. Graded levels (25, 30, 35 or 40 %) of crude protein diets were fed to 20 fry per replicate in aquaria. There were significant differences in the feed consumed, specific growth rate and final weight (P 0.05) of the different groups that fed on the four diets. There were also significant differences (P< 0. 05) in the whole body proximate composition of fish groups with the significant maximum crude protein occurring in the group fed with 40 %CP and maximum lipid in 25% CP group (P< 0. 05) indicating excessive accumulation of lipid when low protein diets are fed to O. niloticus. It was recommended that 40 % CP might be most ideal for O. niloticus fry that had adapted to Kainji environmental condition