Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to determine the dietary calcium requirement of fingerling channel catfish reared in calcium-free water. Triplicate random groups of fish were fed purified diets containing graded levels of calcium ranging from 0.17 to 0.85%. All diets contained 0.5% phosphorus. Feed was offered for a period of 11 or 12 weeks. Growth and feed efficiency indicated that the dietary calcium requirement for channel catfish, reared in calcium-free water, was approximately 0.45% of the dry diet. Vertebral bone calcium, phosphorus and ash remained relatively constant at all dietary calcium levels. Based on these data, it appears that channel catfish conserve bone calcium during periods of calcium inadequacy. Serum calcium did not reflect the requirement level as determined by growth.
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