INFLUENCE OF AGUATIC MACROPHYTE AND MICROBIAL SILAGE ON THE GROWTH AND CONVERSION EFFICIENCY OF OREOCHROMIS MOSSAMBICUS (PETERS)

The aquatic weeds like Eichhornia sp. and Pistia sp. were tested as feed staffs to replace fish meal in the artificial diet of the fish Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters). Both powdered form and microbial enriched silage were tested. The results showed significant growth, better conversion efficiency, high protein content in the fish than those fed on control diet. It is suggested that the aquatic macrophyte can replace the costly fish meal to a certain possible extent in the formulated diets.