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HEPATOSOMATIC AND GONADOSOMATIC INDICES OF HYBRID CATFISH (HETEROBRANCHUS LONGIFILIS × CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) UNDER DIFFERENT FEEDING LEVELS AND STOCKING DENSITIES

ABSTRACT

Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) are widely used indicators of physiological condition, energy allocation, and reproductive development in fish. This study evaluated the effects of feeding level and stocking density on HSI and GSI of hybrid catfish (Heterobranchuslongifilis × Clariasgariepinus) under controlled culture conditions. Five stocking densities (100, 75, 38, 18, and 9 fish per 0.25 m³) and three feeding levels (1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% body weight) were tested in a completely randomized design. Fish were fed three times daily using a commercial diet. At the end of the experiment, liver and gonad weights were recorded and HSI and GSI calculated using standard methods. Results showed that HSI was significantly affected by both feeding level and stocking density, with higher values generally observed at higher stocking densities and feeding levels. In contrast, GSI exhibited limited variation across treatments and was not consistently influenced by feeding or density. These findings indicate that liver condition in hybrid catfish is more responsive to short-term changes in feeding regime and stocking density than reproductive investment. The study provides practical information for optimizing feeding and stocking strategies to support metabolic health without compromising reproductive development in hybrid catfish culture.

KEYWORDS: Feeding Levels, Stocking Densities, Hybrid Catfish, Hepatosomatic Index, Gonadosomatic Index

AFIA, Ofonime Edet

GASPRO INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EMINENT SCHOLARS, VOL.13 NO 1