Pakistan J. Zool., vol. 45(3), pp. 667-671, 2013 Effect of Artificial Feed and Fertilization of Ponds on Growth and Body Composition of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia Anum Zahid 1 , Noor Khan 1 *, Muhammad Nasir 2 and Muhammad Waqas Ali 1 1 Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. 2 Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. Abstract.- The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of artificial feed and adding organic manures to the earthen ponds on the growth and body composition of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT). A total of 160 fish were stocked in each of the two ponds for 90 days. Fish in both ponds were fed with supplementary feed containing 30% crude protein at 4% body weight. Pond 1 was fertilized using cow dung and poultry manure while pond 2, received no fertilizer. Fish were sampled every month for weight and length measurements. Fish were also sampled for biochemical analysis. T-test was used to compare the means between treatments. Fish from pond 1 gained significantly higher (p<0.05) weight compared to fish in pond 2. The specific growth rate and food conversion ratio also showed significantly higher (p<0.05) values for fish in pond 1 (1.52 and 2.4) compared to fish in pond 2 (1.22 and 2.1). Crude protein and lipid composition of fish were found significantly higher (p<0.05) in pond 1 compared to pond 2. It can be concluded that GIFT strain grow much better with the combination of organic manure (cow dung and poultry manure) and artificial feed as compared to artificial feed alone in semi-intensive system. Key Words: Tilapia, GIFT, artificial feed, fertilizers, growth, body composition. INTRODUCTION Tilapia culture in tropical and subtropical countries is practiced either in extensive or semi- intensive systems. The semi-intensive culture of tilapia is particularly ideal in developing countries due to certain options such as management and investments (Kamal et al., 2008). Management strategies in the lower levels of intensive systems involve the use of fertilizers to encourage natural productivity of planktons and to improve the levels of dissolved oxygen. Application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in fish ponds results higher fish production than from natural unfertilized systems (Green, 1992). Traditionally cattle manure is often used in semi-intensive systems to improve the primary productivity of the ponds and fish growth (Nwachukwu, 1997). The pond sediments are greatly influenced by the frequent application of organic manure and artificial feed (Chatterjee and Saha, 2000). Cattle manures, which are generally plentiful worldwide, constitute a cost effective source of nutrients. Thus, in attempts to reduce feed costs, fish farmers provide supplementary feed ________________________________ * Corresponding author: noorkhanuvas@yahoo.com 0030-9923/2013/0003-0667 $ 8.00/0 Copyright 2013 Zoological Society of Pakistan along with organic and inorganic manures to reduce feed cost and increase fish production in South Asia. However, feed accounts approximately 50% of total aquaculture operational costs and is considered a major constraint for both small and large scale commercial aquaculture (Ratafia, 1994). Reducing amount of feed is a means of lowering costs without reducing production. Pakistan is an agro-based country enriched with vast fisheries resources. Despite an increase in the pace of development in agriculture sector, the problems of starvation and malnutrition have persisted probably due to the low production of food, its distribution and quality. Genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) is good option for aquaculture in Pakistan due to its faster growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of manure along with artificial feeding on the growth and body composition of GIFT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Location The experiment was conducted at Research and Training Facilities, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Ravi Campus, Pattoki. Stocking and feeding GIFT fingerlings were stocked in earthen