Background

Aquaculture is an important part of agriculture because it generates products (fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, algae) of same nature than those issued from natural marine and continental fisheries (Naylor et al., 2000; Pauly et al., 2002; Priyadarshini et al., 2015; Adewole and Faturoti, 2017; Adamneh and Abelneh, 2018). As marginal in relation to natural fishery volume until 1970s, aquaculture has developed explosively from middle 1980s and now represents the agricultural production with the highest growth rate during the last fifteen years on the world scale (14% yearly between 1990 and 2000 against 2.8% for terrestrial animal productions in the same period) (El-Sayed, 1994; Ramachandran et al., 2005). The domestication of new species in aquaculture, strongly contributed to the promotion of the aquaculture the last years. The domestication of a new fish species is done by the control of its environment, its reproduction and its feed. The control of the feeding is done by the determination of the nutritional requirements on the quantitative level and the qualitative level (Kpogue, 2013a; Olufeagba et al., 2017; Vodounnou et al., 2017). Fish rearing requires the knowledge of the requirements in proteins, lipid, energy and vitamins of the species in order to ensure a good growth to him. These diets vary according to the species, the stage of development, stage of life, sex, age and the environment (Reinitz, 1983; Rembold and Fluchter, 1988). The feed for cultured fish can come from various natural sources, such as the plankton, bacteria, insects and other fish in the ecosystem, and artificial feed (Mgbenka and Lovell, 1985; Miwa and Innui, 1987).

Parachanna obscura is found in West African country and central African country (Kumar et al., 2012). African snakehead, P. obscura flesh is very much appreciated by African consumers. It has high economic value for aquaculture since it has better growth rate (2 g/day), few bones, tasty flesh, accepts high stocking density and can use the atmospheric oxygen for respiration (Micha, 1974; Victor and Akpocha, 1992; Bolaji et al., 2011). It is a species having resistance to the stresses and is the most widespread species among all the species of African Chanidae (Bonou and Teugels, 1985). Several studies have been made on P. obscura in spite of its domestication. Dietary protein and lipid requirement, feeding rate, optimum stocking density and semi artificial reproduction of P. obscura were extensively investigated (Kpogue and Fiogbe, 2012a; 2012b; Kpogue et al., 2013a; Vodounnou et al., 2017). The aim of the study is to make a bibliographical sketch on the nutrient requirement of the African snakehead fish (P. obscura) in order to promote P. obscura rearing.

1 Materials and Methods

The data were collected from the articles of the journals, books and chapters of book, reports of workshop, and reports of FAO, unpublished reports, the memoirs and theses of doctorate. The documents were collected from the libraries of the University of Abomey-Calavi, of Halieutic Production Direction (DPH) in Benin, various researchers, and the data bases of internet.

2 Protein Requirements

In fish tissue, there is approximately 70% of protein of dry weight organic; therefore, protein content is one of the most essential nutritional compounds of feeds of the fish. Crude protein content is the general measure of fish feed quality, and is usually referenced when identifying specific fish feeds. Generally, the protein level of feed is directly proportional to the fish growth, if the level is within the range of approximately 20 to 40% crude protein. Optimum dietary protein levels vary with fish species, water temperature, feeding frequency, stage of life, daily feed allowance, quality of protein, and quantity of non-protein energy (Hancz, 2011).

The methods employed to determine the needs for protein, however, can over-estimate the needs, out of protein of the diet excessive or the amino acids, to be stored, are catabolized the carbohydrates and greases preferentially finished and are employed for energy by some fish (Wilson, 1989).

2.1 Protein requirement of Parachanna obscura larvae

The answer of increasing dietary protein on growth parameters, were determined in Parachanna obscura larvae. The initial body weight was 0.12 ± 0.01 g. Five semi-purified isoenergetic experimental diets were formulated (35, 45, 50, 55 and 60 g/100 g of diet). Growth parameters and feed utilization were influenced by dietary protein (p<0.05). Second degree polynomial regression and broken line models were used to analyze the relationships between dietary crude protein and SGR (Figure 1). Based on the results of it study, requirements of protein of P. obscura larvae are included between 45 and 55.5% of the diet (Kpogue et al., 2012c).

2.2 Protein requirement of Parachanna obscura fingerlings

The impact of increasing dietary protein on growth parameters, were determined in Parachanna obscura larvae. The initial body weight was 0.12 ± 0.01 g. Five-isoenergetic semi-purified diets were formulated to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein levels on growth and feed utilization of snakehead, Parachanna obscura (4.08 ± 0.07 g). Experimental diets were formulated to contain graded levels of crude protein (CP; 30, 40, 45, 50 and 60 g/100 g of diet). Growth performances and nutrient utilization parameters of fingerlings fed different diets varied significantly (p<0.05) (Figure 2). The relationship between the dietary CP and specific growth rate (SGR) indicated that protein requirements of P. obscura fingerlings ranged from 42.5 to 53.5% of diet (Kpogue et al., 2013b).

3 Carbohydrates Requirement

The requirement of the carbohydrates changes according to species of fish. The fish of warm-water can employ quantities much higher of diet carbohydrate than cold water fish and marine fish .The requirements in carbohydrate are difficult to evaluate in the diets, however if carbohydrates are not provided in the diet, other components such as protein and lipids, are catabolized for energy and for the synthesis of various biologically significant compounds. Thus, it is significant to provide the suitable concentration of the carbohydrate according to the mode cultivation (Sub-committee on Nutrition fish, 1993). The use of the carbohydrates in the diets of fish changes according to the complexity of the carbohydrate.

3.1 Carbohydrates requirement of Parachanna obscura fingerlings

Some study during 8 weeks was realized in order to evaluate the dietary effect of carbohydrate rate on zootechnical perfomances of Parachanna obscura fingerlings. Five experimental diets were formulated to contain graded rates of carbohydrate (6, 8, 10, 12 and 14%). Each diet was tested in triplicate. Zootechnical performances improved significantly (p<0.05) as dietary carbohydrate level increased. Best specific growth rate and feed efficiency were obtained with diets containing 12% of carbohydrate. In conclusion, the optimal carbohydrate requirement of P. obscura fingerlings is 12% of diet (Kpogue et al., 2018).

4 Lipid Requirement

The lipids of the diets are significant sources of energy and essential fatty acids which are necessary for the growth and the development of the fish. It also contributes to the absorption of large soluble vitamins. Lipids of the diets, mainly in the form of triacylglycerol, are hydrolyzed by the digestive enzymes with a mixture of the free fatty acids and 2-monoglycerides. These compounds then are absorbed and used for the synthesis of cellular different components or catabolized for energy. The lipids of the diets of fish contain the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids can be indicated by the numbering of the methyl or carboxylic terminal. The notation of the methyl terminal is most convenient for many feed goals. The insatured fatty acid refers normally to the acids fatty with 18 atoms of carbon or more and the bonds two or double (Sub-committee on Nutrition fish, 1993).

4.1 Lipid requirement of Parachanna obscura fingerlings

Five iso-energetic diets were formulated to evaluate the effects of lipid on growth parameters, of African Snakehead P. obscura fingerlings. The initial body weight was 7.69 ± 0.14 g. The experimental diets contained graded rate of lipid (5, 7, 9, 11 and 14 g/100 g of diet). Growth performances and nutrient utilization parameters of fingerlings fed on different diets varied significantly (p<0.05). Highest growth performances and nutrient utilization were obtained with fish fed on a diet containing 7% of crude lipid. According to the broken line models used to analyze the relationships between the dietary crude lipid and the specific growth rate (SGR), the maximum dietary crude lipid requirement is 7% of the diet (Figure 3) (Kpogue, 2013a).

5 Conclusion

At the end of this study of the aim is to make a bibliographical synthesis on the nutrient requirement of the African snakehead fish (P. obscura) in order to promote P. obscura rearing we can to stop that: Requirements of protein of P. obscura larvae are included between 45 and 55.5% of the diet. Requirements of protein of P. obscura fingerlings are included between 42.5 and 53.5% of the diet. The optimal carbohydrate requirement of P. obscura fingerlings is 12% of diet. The maximum dietary crude lipid requirement is 7% of the diet.

Authors’ contributions

All authors have made adequate effort on all parts of the work necessary for the development of this manuscript according to his/her expertise. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgements

I acknowledged all authors having worked on P.obscura and whose results made it possible to make this bibliographical synthesis.

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