FEEDING FISH.

Feeding fish accounts for about 65-75% of total cost of production,hence there is a need to understand the requirements of fish,the feed stuff ,and how to get the desired value for the cost of feeding. Fish feed must be a balanced meal consisting of carbohydrate,protein,fat and oil,and vitamin premix.The sources of these component will depend on availability,cost and weighed advantages of the feed stuff over other options. Carbohydrate sources can be any of the following; millet,maize,wheat,rice bran or sorghum.Protein sources include; soya beans,fish meal,groundnut cake.Fat and oil include palm oil,vegetable oil or fish oils.The vitamin premix is a combination of additives and supplements . Atovi premix is the choice for enhanced growth and early harvest. The combination of these various feed stuff depends on the age of the fish with regards to the crude protein level,and stage of development.Fish feed must posses certain qualities for it to be considered suitable for use; 1)it must be balanced;contain all components in required quantities. 2)it must be attractive and palatable to fish. 3)it must be cost effective. 4)must promote growth of fish. 5)must be stable in water but must not pollute the pond. fish feed depends on the management employed; feeding may be by using natural feed,compounded feed,live feed or a combination of natural and compounded ration.The compounded feed are presented in powdered ,granular or pelletized forms.Fish feed could also be presented in flakes,this is usually the form for ornamental fish.Natural feed include the normal feed that fishes are exposed to in their natural habitats such as aquatic weeds,water hyacinth and water lettuce. Phytoplankton,zoo-plankton,insects,shrimps,maggot,tadpoles and earthworm. Animal offals are also sometimes used to feed fish; these offals include chicken intestine,pig scrapings, and cattle cuttings. The offals are washed properly,boiled and then coated with cornflour to absorb oil,this is then fed to the fish.The flour helps prevent pollution in pond by limiting /preventing oil deposits. Eggs can be used as well; the eggs are boiled,shelled and the yolk is mixed with water to form a paste.This is then broadcast ed on the pond for fish to feed.The disadvantage of feeding with yolk is that the pond must be flushed after every meal to prevent contamination of pond. Fish are fed at specific times to create a rhythm/pattern,the feeding is done at specific points so that the fish can be easily observed and weak/inactive ones are isolated. The quality and quantity of the feed is important,as it plays a vital role in the success of the production.When feed is incomplete,inadequate and has potential to pollute pond,these hampers the growth and development of fish.

The role of water in fish farming.

Water is the natural habitat of fish thus for successful farming venture,the quality must be monitored and controlled.The growth of any fish depends on the water parameters,feeding protocol,feed composition and genetic potential of the fish specie. The sources of water for the fish farming could be any of the following; wells,dams,boreholes ,sea/lagoon and streams.The system of farming intended will dictate the source of water to be used.The earthen pond usually get water from streams,sea/lagoon and channeled springs while the concrete ponds are filled either from wells,boreholes or dams.The most important factor to consider is the quality of the water source. Water for fish farming must possess the following qualities; 1) The PH must be between 7-9,not acidic or too alkaline. 2)The water must be clean and free from contaminants/pollutants such as oil,chemicals,paints or heavy metals. 3)It must be odorless,free from scumb or foam. 4)It must contain enough dissolved oxygen 4mg/litre. 5)It must have a temperature of between 25-32 degree . 6) The carbon dioxide must not be less than 5mg/litre. 7)Ammonia level 0.05mg/litre. 8)Nitrate not less than 50mg/litre. 9)Nitrite not less than 0.30mg/litre. Water quality should be checked at regular intervals using a water kit and necessary adjustment made,a change in any of the water parameters leads to stress in the fish which could lead to severe loses. Oxygen a major index of water quality needs regular monitoring and balancing.The reduced and increased levels of oxygen has a bad effect on the fish.When oxygen level is depleted in the pond,it leads to suffocation and death of the fish,while supersaturation leads togas bubble disease in fish.The supersaturation usually occurs in algae bloom,where there is rapid photosynthesis resulting in small bubbles accumulating in fish intestines,muscles and gills causing the fish to float. The management practices also hamper on the health of the fish,so these must also be taken into consideration in fish farming.

AGRIBUSINESS : Common fish diseases and treatment.

Fish health management refers to practices that ensures optimum growth and development.The health status of fish is hinged largely on procedural technique;these include stocking density,water quality,oxygen tension, rate of dissolved gases turbidity and feed.The proper implementation of these technique ensures that the fish are disease-free. Diseases affecting fish are classified as bacterial,viral and fungal; these will only proliferate when environmental conditions of the pond are altered thereby making the fish susceptible to infection. Bacteria enteritis is a bacterial infection caused by Aeromonas punctata , where the fish stops feeding,the intestines are distended,the body is darkened ,the gills are rotten and anal region is swollen.The condition results in high mortality,the treatment is use of antibiotics in feed or soak affected fish in antibiotic laced water.There is also a herbal remedy ; fresh garlic are crushed and added to feed at a rate of 5 g of garlic to 10 kg of feed for 3 days. Bacterial gill rot caused by flexibacter columnaris; affects the gills turns them black because of large deposit of mucus on the gills,thus making it putrid.The operculum is inflamed ,gills ulcerate and drop off.This is also treated by adding antibiotics to feed,also table salt at 2% concentration in 20litres of water can be used in the treatment tank,where the fish are immersed for 10-15 mins. The cotton white disease or "water mold" caused by saprolegria spp,affects the gill filaments making them hairy and white.The treatment involves immersing fish in a solution of common salt and sodium bicarbonate. White head and mouth disease caused by pseudomonas dermoalla, the fish loses the natural color and attains a milky color from head to tail.This condition is also caused by myxococus piscicala. Furunculosis refers to the condition where the fish skin and muscle are inflammed,distended with pus,the fins are damaged and are eroded. The sudden death syndrome usually caused by branchiomycosis sanguinis; the gills are pale,with heavy mucus deposit on gills ,spores are also noted on gills suffocating the fish because of insufficient oxygen.This disease is largely associated with poor water quality with high deposit of inorganic matter. The treatment of bacterial infection in fish requires use of antibiotics in feed or water but most importantly,the pond must be flushed .Water must be added to pond and it should be properly aerated before treatment commences. Fish diseases can be prevented with sound management practices and inclusion of atovi feed premix to fish feed.