Browsing by Author "Shoko, Amon P."

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    A comparison of diurnal dynamics of water quality parameters in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758) monoculture and polyculture with African sharp tooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell, 1822) in earthen ponds.
    (Springer, 2014) Shoko, Amon P.; Samwel Mchele Limbu; Mrosso, Hillary D. J.; Mgaya, Yunus D.
    The overall performance of an aquaculture system is partly determined by its water quality parameters. Poor water quality stresses and adversely affects fish growth causing low production, profit and product quality. Diurnal dynamics of water quality parameters were investigated in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) monoculture and polyculture with Clarias gariepinus in earthen ponds. Dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH were measured and monitored for 24 h. Water samples for nutrient analysis were collected from the middle of ponds in triplicate at about 30–35 cm below the water surface using a plastic bottle. Nitrite–nitrogen (NO2–N), nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N), unionised ammonia (NH3–N), soluble reactive phosphorus and free carbon dioxide were analysed following standard methods and procedures. The results show that dissolved oxygen concentrations during the past midnight and pre-dawn hours were significantly lower than the levels in the morning and afternoon hours (ANOVA, F = 45.709, P < 0.05) which is dangerous to the life of the cultured fishes. The levels of unionised ammonia and temperature were higher and lower, respectively, than the acceptable levels for optimum growth of O. niloticus and C. gariepinus. Nitrite–nitrogen, nitrate–nitrogen, pH, soluble reactive phosphorus and free carbon dioxide were within the recommended limits for fish growth in aquaculture. Growth parameters, feed conversion ratio and survival rate were not significantly different between culture systems (P > 0.05). Fish yield was relatively higher in polyculture (45.74 ± 0.44 tons/ha) than monoculture (30.77 ± 0.54 tons/ha). During fish farming, optimum fish growth and hence economic benefits can be accrued by devoting some efforts on monitoring the fish pond water at regular intervals. This quality assurance process will ensure that fish farmers produce fish with maximum growth and yield without polluting pond water and the surrounding environment.
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    The role of fish-poultry integration on fish growth performance, yields and economic benefits among smallholder farmers.
    (Taylor & Francis, 2019-04-15) Shoko, Amon P.; Samwel Mchele Limbu; Lamtane, Hieromin A.; Kishe-Machumu, Mary A.; Sekadende, Baraka; Ulotu, Eusebia E.; Joram, Masanja C.; Mgaya, Yunus D.
    Aquaculture practices from sub-Saharan Africa are characterised by low production, owing to improper technology. Production can be increased through integrating fish farming with other existing on-farm activities, particularly livestock husbandry. We assessed the role of fish-poultry integration on all male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus growth performance, yields and economic benefits among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, Tanzania. The study also compared phytoplankton species composition, abundance and biomass between the fish-poultry integration and non-integrated system. After 180 days of the experiment, all male O. niloticus cultured under fish-poultry integration exhibited significantly higher growth rates than those in the non-integrated system (p < 0.05). Gross fish yield (GFY), net fish yield (NFY) and net annual yields (NAY) obtained from fish-poultry integration were significantly higher than those from non-integrated system (p < 0.05). Partial enterprise budget analysis revealed that fish-poultry integration was more profitable than the non-integrated system. Moreover, fish-poultry integrated system produced significantly higher phytoplankton abundance and biomass than those from the non-integrated system. Results demonstrate that rural smallholder farmers can achieve higher growth rate, farm net yields and income by integrating all male O. niloticus with other on-farm activities than practising a stand-alone fish culture system.
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    Supplemental Effects of Mixed Ingredients and Rice Bran on the Growth Performance, Survival and Yield of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus Reared in Fertilized Earthen Ponds
    (Springer, 2016) Samwel Mchele Limbu; Shoko, Amon P.; Lamtane, Hieromin A.; Kishe‑Machumu, M. A.; Joram, M. C.; Mbonde, A. S.; Mgana, H. F.; Mgaya, Yunus D.
    Unaffordability of commercial feeds to semi‑intensive Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus farmers has led to reliance on supplemental feeding and fertilization for nutrition of their fish without a scientific basis. This study compared the growth, survival, condition factor and yield performance of O. niloticus fed on mixed ingredients (MI) and rice bran alone (RB) diets reared in fertilized earthen ponds in small scale farmers’ ponds. The study also determined phytoplankton composition, biomass and abundance in the experimental ponds. Quadruplicate ponds were stocked with O. niloticus and African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus at a stocking ratio of 1:3. The initial mean weights of O. niloticus and C. gariepinus were 14.62 ± 0.61 and 20.34 ± 1.44 g respectively. The fish were fed on MI and RB diets with protein content of 184.74 and 126.06 g kg−1 respectively for 270 days. The results showed that growth performance, survival rate and condition factor of O. niloticus were not affected by either feeding with MI or RB diet (p > 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences obtained in phyto‑plankton biomass and abundance in O. niloticus ponds fed on the two diets (p > 0.05). Furthermore, feeding O. niloticus either on MI or RB diet did not affect the net and gross fish yields (p > 0.05). The study revealed that the use of either MI or RB diet does not significantly affect the performance of O. niloticus cultured in semi‑intensive earthen ponds where natural food organisms are an integral part of the culture system. Rice bran could be used for semi‑intensive culture of O. niloticus in fertilized ponds to boost the production based on its availability and low cost.