Bio-economic evaluation of tank raised Tilapia rendalli (Boulenger, 1896) fed on varying dietary protein levels

Abstract

An experiment was designed to determine the effects of varying dietary protein levels in feed on bio-economic aspect of tank raised Tilapia rendalli production in Malawi. T. rendalli of average body weights (23 g) were randomly stocked into 5 m³ experimental tanks at stocking density of 5 fish/m³. The experimental diets containing 25, 30 and 35% CP were formulated. Higher significant (P < 0.05) average weight gain, feed conversion ratio, break-even price, break even yield, net return were recorded in fish fed on the diet containing 35% CP. However, gross margin profit ratio was the lowest in the diet containing 35% CP. The significance of the study findings is that higher inclusion of protein in feed produce better growth and high overall net return, hence need to use high dietary protein level in this case, 35%.

Keywords: Bio-economic evaluation, dietary protein, Tilapia rendalli.