The Influence of temperature on the growth of the nile tilapia, oreochromis niloticus reared in glass tanks

The effect of three water temperatures: 20, 25 and 30°C on the growth rate of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis ni/oticus was evaluated using a stocking density of 200 fish/mJ. Fish were reared in glass tanks supplied with thermostatic heaters and biological filters. Fish were fed a local fish food (34% protein) in a dry form once daily for six days per week with 2% of fish body weight. The experiment covered a time period of 135 days from Nov. 1993 to Mar. 1994. The best growth rate was obtained at a temperature of25°C followed by the temperature of 30°C, and the lowest growth rate was achieved at 20°c. The optimum temperature for these fish may be 25°C or slightly more but less than 30°C. The effect of the temperature on the growth rate of Nile tilapia was highly significant (P