2026 Vol-6 Issue-1 | COMPARATIVE GROWTH, FEED UTILIZATION AND SURVIVAL OF Clarias gariepinus AND Pangasianodon hypophthalmus FED COMMERCIAL AND FORMULATED DIETS IN A TANK SYSTEM IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Nigeria's aquaculture relies heavily on Clarias gariepinus (African catfish). However, highfeed costs, disease outbreaks and environmental stress affect survival and profitability. Diversification with Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (striped catfish), known for rapidgrowth and efficient feed conversion in Asia, has been proposed, yet a dearth of comparative trials exists in Nigeria. This study compared growth performance, feed utilization andsurvival of the two species using a 2 × 2 factorial completely randomized design (factors:species × diet). The experimental unit was the tank (200 L polyethylene). Treatments comprised C. gariepinus and P. hypophthalmus and two diets (commercial Mem Prime®and locally formulated), with two replicate tanks per treatment (50 fingerlings per tank¹,initial weight ≈ 15 g). Fish were reared for 12 weeks under identical tropical tankconditions. Data were analysed by two-way ANOVA (species, diet, and species × diet interaction) followed by Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Significant effects of species and diet were recorded for final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio(FCR) and survival (p < 0.05). Clarias gariepinus consistently outperformed P.hypophthalmus, while Mem Prime® outperformed the formulated diet. Best performance occurred in C. gariepinus fed Mem Prime® (final weight 98.7 g, weight gain 83.2 g, SGR3.32 % day⁻¹, FCR 1.42, survival 96 %). Lowest survival (86 %) was recorded for P.hypophthalmus on the formulated diet. Results confirm C. gariepinus as the more robust and productive species under local conditions and indicate that P. hypophthalmus requires feed and management optimisation before widespread diversification.