The growth performance of C. gariepinus larvae in pond and concrete tank has been well documented. However, the challenges of shooters and economy of available space changed the focus of fish seed producers to the use of happas in both systems. This study therefore focused on the growth performance and survival rate of C. gariepinus larvae cultured from happa-in-pond in a bid to access growth performance. 500 larvae of 0.04 ± 0.005g weight and 7mm body length were stocked in happa (0.75m3) with three replicates. Commercial diet of 45% crude protein was administered four times daily in split-rations at 10% body weight for 30days post hatching. Unconsumed feeds were removed by weekly washing of the happa after sampling. The Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and Survival Rates (SR) were determined weekly for a period of thirty days. The C. gariepinus larvae performance when raised in happa-in-pond prior to pond stocking was then compared with the pond and tank culture system. The SGR, FCR and PER (1.59±0.12and 1.65±0.11) was significantly different and better than that of both the pond (1.78 and 1.84) and tank obtained from secondary data. The survival rate (89.53±1.48%) was also high in the happa-in-pond system. The results of this study revealed that, rearing of larval fish from happa-in-pond is considered better for seed production if the target is to attain faster growth of the seed, and easy size grading to curb cannibalism.

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