Research Article
Evaluating the Growth Efficiency of Oreochromis andersonii Using Commercial and on Farm Formulated Feed in Controlled Indoor Tanks 
2 Department of Environmental Science, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya


International Journal of Aquaculture, 2025, Vol. 15, No. 3 doi: 10.5376/ija.2025.15.0015
Received: 14 Apr., 2025 Accepted: 19 Jun., 2025 Published: 07 Jul., 2025
Nyendwa N., Ngandwe S., and Musuka C.G., 2025, Evaluating the growth efficiency of Oreochromis andersonii using commercial and on farm formulated feed in controlled indoor tanks, International Journal of Aquaculture, 15(3): 155-164 (doi: 10.5376/ija.2025.15.0015)
Feed quality plays a critical role in optimizing growth performance and carcass composition in aquaculture. In resource-limited settings, evaluating the potential of locally formulated feeds as alternatives to commercial diets is essential for sustainable fish production. This study assessed the effect of commercial and on-farm formulated feeds on the growth performance and carcass composition of Oreochromis andersonii. The experiment was conducted over a period of nine weeks at Kapasa Makasa University, using a Completely Randomised Design with two treatments: a commercial feed (T1, control) and an on-farm formulated feed (T2). A total of 60 fingerlings with an average initial weight of 3 g were stocked at a density of 10 fish per tank in six identical indoor plastic tanks. Fish were fed a 30% crude protein diet at 8% of the standing biomass, administered twice daily. Growth parameters (weight and length) were measured weekly after a 24-hour fasting period. Water quality parameters were monitored regularly to ensure optimal rearing conditions. The results revealed no significant differences in the final body weight between treatments, with 14.79 g (T1) and 13.74 g (T2), while there was a significant difference in the final mean lengths of 8.98 cm (T1) and 8.33 cm (T2). Survival rates remained at 100% in both treatments. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower in T2 (1.5) compared to T1 (1.9), indicating better feed efficiency in the on-farm formulated diet. Additionally, carcass yield was higher in T2 (45.5%) than in T1 (37%). The findings suggest that on-farm formulated feed can serve as a cost-effective and nutritionally adequate alternative to commercial feed for O. andersonii, supporting its potential use in small-scale aquaculture systems.
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. Natasha Nyendwa

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. Oreochromis andersonii

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