COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF LOCAL DIET WITH SOME COMMERCIAL DIETS ON WATER QUALITY IN CULTURE OF AFRICAN CATFISH

The aim of the study was to compare the impact of a locally developed diet and two commercial feeds (Aller Aqua and Blue Crown) on the water quality parameters of water in catfish culture to determine their safety and environmental appropriateness. Three treatments were used comprising Group A (local diet), Group B (Aller Aqua), and Group C (Blue Crown) where water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH were monitored during the experiment. The findings showed that the temperature of water was within a close range of 24.270.350C and 24.560.500C, with the highest value being in Group A with the other Groups B and C coming up with the lowest values respectively. The highest amount of dissolved oxygen was found in Groups B and C (6.13 ± 0.23 mg/L) and the lowest in Group A (5.80 ± 0.20 mg/L). The PH levels of all the groups was slightly acidic as shown by the range of 6.19 ± 0.30 to 6.20 ± 0.87 with Group A giving the highest value. All the measured parameters did not differ significantly between the groups (P > 0.05) statistically. In general, all feeds ensured water quality was within reasonable limits of catfish culture meaning that both the local diet, Aller Aqua, and Blue Crown feeds provide a healthy and secure culture environment, with a more favourable trend of DO in commercial diets though statistically insignificant.