An Evaluation of the Flesh of the Terrestrial Snail Achatina fulica as Food for the Fingerlings of Oreochromis mossambicus

Abstract

The Terrestrial molluse Achatina Fulica is now an important pest in Sri Lanka. The flesh of its foot contains approximately 50% protein, 30% carbohydrate and 11% lipid.

The result of the experiments conducted over a period of 12 weeks using Oreochromis Mossambicus (Tilapia Mossambica)fingerlings (3-4 cm. in length and 0-2. 4 gm. in weight) showed that higher growth rates (average 0.07 gm/day)were exhibited by fishes which were fed with A. Fulica flesh as supplementary food than those fed with chicken feed (average 0.03 gm/day) Least growth rates (average 0.02 gm/day)were exhibited by fishes which were not fed with any accessory food material.