Effect of feeding rate and hormonal treatments on the condition factor and the reproductive performance of the catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding rate and the hormonal treatments for spawning induction on the condition factor, and the reproductive performance of the striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. A commercial diet with 35% of protein in three feeding rates – 1%, 2%, and 3% biomass, were supplied for 184 days – and two hormonal methods – hCG injections and GnRHa implants – were applied. A marked influence of the feeding rates on the monthly variations in body weight and condition factor was observed, with the highest values for fishes fed at 3% biomass. No spawning occurred in females in the 1% biomass group. The relative fecundity in both sexes, the fertilization, and the hatching rates were significantly higher in the 3% biomass group than observed in the 2% biomass group. Thus, the use of diets with 35% protein provided at 3% biomass to the breeders of P. hypophthalmus, is recommended.