The aquaculture potential of Tilapia rendalli in relation to its feeding habits and digestive capabilities |
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| Institution: | 1. Division of Fisheries Biotechnology & Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM University, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India;2. Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA;3. Lab PCN 206, Microbiology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, B.S. 10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India;4. Department of Botany and Microbiology, Addiriyah Chair for Environmental Studies, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;5. Department of Zoology, Pachaiyappa''s College for Men, Kanchipuram 631 501, Tamil Nadu, India;1. Wageningen University & Research, Aquaculture and Fisheries Group, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands;2. Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, the Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Tilapia rendalli is a predominately macrophagous fish. However, it was able to colonise an oligotrophic dam (Flag Boshielo) with limited macrophytes. Therefore, the diet of T. rendalli in this dam was investigated; its stomach contents were examined over 12 months. A size related dietary shift was evident. Juveniles fed mainly on zooplankton while sub-adult and adult fish grazed on both macrophytes and marginal vegetation. T. rendalli’s ability to strive in an environment with limited food resources led to a subsequent study to determine its aquaculture potential. Its growth performance was compared to that of the commonly cultured Oreochromis mossambicus. Juveniles of both species were fed a commercial tilapia diet for 60 days. Specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio was comparable to that of O. mossambicus (P > 0.05, ANOVA). Feed conversion ratio was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T. rendalli (1.43) than in O. mossambicus (1.25) indicating a better efficiency in feed utilisation by O. mossambicus. At a physiological level, protease, lipase and cellulase activities did not differ significantly between the two fish species (P > 0.05). Amylase activities were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T. rendalli than in O. mossambicus. The highest amylase activities were recorded in the proximal intestines as 26.34 and 22.00 μmol/min/mg protein in T. rendalli and O. mossambicus respectively. This may be an indicator that T. rendalli is better equipped to digest plant diets. T. rendalli may be the aquaculture species of choice for emerging fish farmers who cannot afford the highly priced fishmeal as a protein source in fish diets. |
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| Keywords: | Growth performance Digestive enzymes Flag Boshielo Dam |
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