Effects of feeds on growth performance and feed efficiency of clown featherback fish Chilata ornata(Gray, 1831) fingerling stage

The experiment was carried out to investigate the suitable feed for Chilata ornatareared from fry to fingerling stage in earth ponds. The experimental fish with the mean size of 2- 3cm/fish were reared in earthen ponds at 4 fish/m2 and fed with three types of feed: TAHH (100% commercial pellet with 35 crude protein), HH&CT(50% commercial pellet (50% crude protein) and 50% flesh trash fish) and CT (100% flesh trash fish) for 36 days. The experiment were set up in two replications. The results showed that growth and survival of C. ornate; feed and protein efficiency were not significantly (P> 0.05) affected by the feed sources. Food conversion ratio was significantly (P< 0.05) lower in TAHH treatment than in other treatments. The lowest cost to gain 1kg fish was also observed in TAHH treatment which was significantly (P< 0.05) lower than those in other treatments. Environmental factors such as DO, NH3 and pH were in the safe range for C. ornataculture. It is recommended that commercial pellet (35% crude protein) can used as substitution for fresh trash fish for rearing C. ornatafrom fry to fingerling stage.