International Journal of Aquaculture, 2025, Vol.15, No.3, 155-164 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 155 Research Article Open Access Evaluating the Growth Efficiency of Oreochromis andersonii Using Commercial and On Farm Formulated Feed in Controlled Indoor Tanks Natasha Nyendwa 1 , Sarah Ngandwe 1,2 , Confred G. Musuka 1 1 Department of Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences, Kapasa Makasa University, Chinsali, Zambia 2 Department of Environmental Science, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya Corresponding authors: shavshanyendwa@gmail.com; sarahngandwe3@gmail.com 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 Copyright © 2025 Nyendwa et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: 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) Abstract 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. Keywords Oreochromis andersonii; Growth performance; Carcass composition; On-farm feed; Commercial feed; Feed conversion ratio; Aquaculture 1 Introduction Fish feed is a fundamental component in aquaculture, directly influencing the growth, health, survival, and reproductive performance of cultured fish (Chen et al., 2024). It is typically formulated into pellets or granules, which make it more digestible and efficient for the fish to consume, enabling them to reach their full growth potential (Ubina et al., 2021). In aquaculture systems, the formulation of nutritionally balanced commercial diets is essential for ensuring that fish receive the necessary nutrients and energy required for sustained growth and survival (El-Sayed and Izquierdo, 2022; Rusco et al., 2024). Aquaculture in Zambia holds significant potential to enhance food security, thereby contributing to improved health and economic well-being for both citizens and the nation as a whole. Expansion of the aquaculture industry can also alleviate the pressure on Zambia’s natural fisheries, promoting more sustainable resource use (Zhang et al., 2024; Amponsah et al., 2025). According to Overton et al. (2024) aquaculture is regarded as the most viable alternative for the development and conservation of fisheries resources, as well as for the restoration of degraded aquatic ecosystems. The success and sustainability of the aquaculture sector, however, are highly dependent on the availability of nutritionally balanced and cost-effective feed systems (Ubina et al., 2021). Aquaculture in Zambia has experienced significant growth over the past decade, with production increasing fivefold. This expansion is expected to continue, positioning the sector as a key contributor to food and nutrition security in the country. In 2022, aquaculture production was estimated at 75 647 tons (FAO, 2023). Zambia has
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