The possibility of replacing corn meal with coconut waste on the growth performance of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

In Malaysia, the development of aquaculture industry faces general feed cost problems. Feed cost is about 70% to 80% of total production. One of the reason is the usage of corn meal which is expensive. Thus, the alternative way is by using plant waste. This idea develop interest towards the aquaculture industry. Hence, this study investigated the replacement of corn meal with coconut waste in different percentages and assess the growth development of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. The study design used 5 feed treatments with 3 replications treatments each. The percentage replacement of corn meal to coconut waste become the variables and labelled the treatments by P1 (10% replacement), P2 (20% replacement), P3 (30% replacement) P4 (40% replacement) and control treatment (0% replacement). The suitability of coconut waste feed product had been determine by using the growth performance based on the survival rate of the fish, absolute body weight gains, feed conversion rate and specific growth rate of the fish. Proximate analysis of the formulated feeds was also conducted. Result shows that formulated feed using 30% of coconut waste could possibly replace the corn meal and increase the growth of juvenile African catfish.