Browsing by Author "Abondi, Yashir"

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    Evaluating the effects of locally formulated feeds on temperature and turbidity in Arapai campus fishpond.
    (Busitema University, 2026) Abondi, Yashir
    Aquaculture is increasingly important for food security, income and employment in Uganda, creating a need for affordable and sustainable fish production practices. However, the high cost of commercial fish feeds remains a major challenge to small-scale fish farmers, increasing the need for locally formulated alternatives. Despite their potential, limited information exists on how such feeds affect pond water quality particularly temperature and turbidity. This study therefore evaluated the effect of locally formulated feeds on selected physical water quality parameters in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) ponds at Busitema University, Arapai Campus, soroti district. A total of 240 juvenile catfish were stocked in replicated hapa units within an earthen pond and monitored for six weeks. Temperature was measured twice daily using an analogue thermometer, while turbidity was measured using a Secchi disk. Data were analysed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level. Mean temperature was 25.91 ± 2.28°C in Treatment 1 and 25.89 ± 2.44°C in Treatment 2, with no significant difference between treatments (p = 0.925). Mean turbidity was 34.52cm ± 0.83 and 34.45cm ± 0.67 respectively also showing no significant difference (p = 0.666). The study concluded that the tested locally formulated feeds did not significantly affect temperature or turbidity during the study period. Fish farmers may therefore consider locally formulated feeds as a potential alternative to commercial feeds while routinely monitoring pond water quality. The findings provide useful information for fish farmers, extension s workers and researchers on feed selection and maintenance of suitable pond conditions. Keywords: African catfish, locally formulated feeds, water quality, temperature, turbidity, aquaculture