Commercial Catfish Diets Research Articles

EFFECT OF FEEDING FREQUENCY ON SOME PERFORMANCE INDICES OF THE AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS, BURCHEL 1822) JUVENILES

A nine-weeks feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding frequency on the growth performance of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. C. gariepinus juveniles (12.72±0.45 g) were stocked into 9 tanks at a density of 10 fish per tank and three different feeding frequencies were tested on triplicate groups for 63 days. Feeding frequency I: fish were fed to apparent satiation only once a day, in the mornings, throughout the experimental period. Feeding frequency II: fish were fed to apparent satiation twice a day, every other day, throughout the experimental period. Feeding frequency III: fish were fed to apparent satiation, twice a day, throughout the experimental period. A commercial catfish diet consisting of 42 % crude protein and 20 Mj Kg-1 gross energy was used. No significant (P>0.05) differences were observed in growth performance or food conversion ratio (FCR) amongst the three different treatments. Similarly, feed intake was not significantly higher in any group as increased feeding was observed when fish in Groups 1 and 2 were fed. This study reveals that feeding strategies such as used in Groups 1 and 2 in this study may neither improve growth performance nor be a good feeding strategy for the reduction of production cost in C. gariepinus farming

Effects of Salinity on Growth Performance and Blood Parameters of Butter Catfish, Ompok bimaculatus

The study was conducted in laboratory conditions to evaluate the effects of salinity on growth, survival, and blood chemistry of butter catfish, Ompok bimaculatus fingerlings. The fry, initially sized as 7.01 cm length and 1.69 g weight, were assigned in four different salinity treatments i.e., 0 ppt (TC), 2 ppt (T1 ), 4 ppt (T2 ) and 8 ppt (T3 ) with three replications, with 21 fry in each replication as well. Fish were fed commercial catfish diets with 43% protein and 8% lipid at 5% body weight three times a day for 90 days. The control (TC) treatment showed the significantly highest growth performance among treatments, (p<0.05). The T3 treatment group showed a lethal parameter and all fish died within 72 hours of exposure to it. The survival rate was recorded as 90.47% for Tc , 71.43% for T1 and 47.61% for T2 treatment. The mean weight and length gain 6.17 g and 4.93 cm observed in T1 followed by 4.59 g and 3.06 cm in T2 treatment. The specific growth rate (SGR) (%) mean weight gain, length gain, average daily weight gain, average daily length gain and percentage length gain were (%) found to be significantly higher in Tc in comparison to those in the salinity treated groups (p<0.05). Significantly higher hemoglobin and WBC were observed in Tc among treatments and had the lowest value recorded in T1 and T2 . There were no significant changes between RBC counts among treatments. 

The Duration of Protection Conferred by Garlic on African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Against Aeromonas hydrophila

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of dietary doses of garlic (Allium sativum) peels and cloves in growth performance, disease resistance and the duration of protection to African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juvenile against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. African catfish juvenile was fed twice daily for 4 weeks with commercial catfish diet (Control) and 20 gkg-1 of garlic peels and cloves which incorporated into the fish formulated diet. After 4 weeks of post feeding, 15 fish were randomly selected for challenge test with 108 cell/mL of A. hydrophila and fed control diet. The duration of the protection was observed at 7, 14 and 21 days following infection. The result demonstrated that the duration of protection of garlic toward African catfish against A. hydrophila at 7, 14 and 21 days after stopped feeding with garlic inclusion diet provided protection until 14 days and slightly reduced protection after 21 days. However, the survivals of treatment groups were still higher compared to the control group. The results indicated that garlic cloves showed better performance in enhancing the African catfish disease resistant towards infection by A. hydrophila.

Nutrient Profile of Commercial Fish Feeds under Different Storage Conditions

This study was conducted to give detail account of nutrient deterioration of fish feed under storage in tropical condition. Three popular commercial catfish diet were used for this study namely Coppens ® , Multifeed ® and Vitafeed ® and were stored under open and air tight condition for six month. Proximate composition, mineral composition, Free fatty acid content and peroxide value where monitored monthly during the storage period while mould count and insect infestation where determined at the end of the experiment. The nutrients analysis reveals significantly reduction in storage under open condition compared to storage in air tight conditions, the levels of reduction was also dependent on the different commercial diet investigated. Mould infestation of the feed were noticeable more in the open condition of storage compared to the airtight condition. Insects’ infestation was also noticed in the open storage condition. The insects species identified on the feed were: Gryllus assimilis , Blatta orientalis , solenopsis, germinate, Delia Platura, Phaenicia sericata , Damistid beetle and Larder beetle.

The Growth and Body Composition of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings Fed Combined Different Sources of Lipid

Attempt in reducing the high cost of feeding in aquaculture through the use of energy rich oils was taken as a means of protein sparing in a feeding trial. Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus with an average weight of 3.28 ± 0.72g fed three formulated diets and a control (commercial feed -Multifeed), Diet 2 (45% Lipid and 50%CP), Diet 3 (45%Lipid and 40%CP) and Diet 4 (45% Lipid and 30%CP). Results obtained showed significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and specific growth rate compared with control diet (commercial catfish diet). However, diet 4 exhibited highest mortality rate which rendered it inefficient. Diet 4 also gave significantly high (P<0.05) body lipid and correspondingly low body crude protein than diets 2 and 3. Diets 2 and 3 moreover, demonstrated significantly (P<0.05) good growth performances and body compositions than the control. Inferences from this study recommended inclusion of combined varying levels of palm oil, groundnut oil and fish oil in the diets of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings for efficient growth at 45:40 Lipid: Protein ratio (diet3) beyond which there is adverse effects on the growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings.

Effects of Probiotic Bacteria as Dietary Supplements on Growth and Disease Resistance in Young Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

ABSTRACT Three separate experiments were conducted to determine the beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria added commercial catfish diets. These commercial probiotics, singly and in combination, were incorporated into a commercial diet fed to juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), in aquaria. Microbial analyses were conducted to confirm viability of the bacteria under storage conditions. Fish were fed twice daily to apparent satiation and weighed biweekly for a period of 5 to 8 weeks. After that time, representative fish were bled for serological analysis of protein, immunoglobulin, complement, and lysozyme. Disease resistance was additionally determined in the remaining fish by observing mortality after immersion challenge with pathogenic Edwardsiella ictaluri, the causative agent of enteric septicemia (ESC). Specific anti-ESC antibody was measured by ELISA after 15 days in the fish which survived challenge. The viability of the bacteria did not decline in storage at 5°C and could be recovered between 106 and 107 colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) of diet after storage for 4 weeks. No significant differences in levels of protein, immunoglobulin, complement, or lysozyme were noted between fish consuming probiotic diets or the control diet. In one feeding trial, weight gain per fish was significantly less in the fish receiving a combination of Pediococcus and Enterococcus probiotic bacteria when compared to those consuming either bacterial supplement diet alone or the control diet. We conclude that these particular commercial dietary supplements lack specific growth promoting or immune stimulating effects in juvenile channel catfish.

Aflatoxins from Moldy Corn Cause No Reductions in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Performance

Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by the mold organisms Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus on feed grains and oil seeds such as corn, peanuts, and cottonseed. Research conducted in aquaria, about 15 yr ago, demonstrated that channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus are very tolerant to dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from a purified source. To evaluate the effect of feeding diets containing aflatoxin from a natural source, moldy corn (MC) naturally contaminated with a high concentration (550 pg/kg) of total aflatoxins was incorporated into practical diets. The diets were fed to Juvenile catfish in two experiments. Experiment 1 consisted of feeding catfish (mean body weight 7.1 g/fish) four diets containing 20% or 40% of two lots of corn; one with no apparent mold contamination, which was designated as clean corn (CC), or the previously described MC. Each diet was fed twice daily to five 100-L aquaria of 20 fish each for 12 wk. Experiment 2 consisted of three diets containing either 50% CC or MC, or a combination of 25% CC and 25% MC prepared by the cooker-extrusion method. Each diet was fed once daily for 130 d to five replicate 0.04-ha ponds of catfish fingerlings. Results of these experiments indicate that feeding diets containing aflatoxin from moldy corn does not affect channel catfish weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, survival, hematocrit, or hepatosomatic ratio. No liver abnormalities were observed upon gross examination. Levels of aflatoxin were reduced approximately 63% in the diets used in experiment 2 after exposure to the high temperature (ca. 120 C) of the cooker-extrusion process used to manufacture commercial catfish diets.

Evaluation of Experimental and Practical Diets for Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and Hybrid Bluegill L. cyanellus × L. macrochirus

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to identify appropriate experimental and practical diets for bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and hybrid bluegill L. cyanellus × L. macrochirus reared in aquaria. In the first study, four experimental diets and five commercial diets were evaluated in juvenile hybrid bluegill initially weighing 4.8 g/fish. The experimental diets contained casein (CAS), casein + gelatin (CAWGEL), casein + L‐arginine‐HCI (CAS/ARG), or casein + gelatin + crystalline amino acids (CAS/AA) as sources of crude protein. The commercial diets included three diets formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and two diets formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Each diet was fed twice daily at a rate of 4% of body weigh/d to triplicate groups of fish. At the end of the 8‐wk feeding trial, weight gain was significantly higher in fish fed the best commercial rainbow trout diets (205–217%) compared to fish fed diets formulated for channel catfish (87–104%). Weight gain and feed efficiency (FE) of fish fed the experimental diets (5346% and 0.19–0.32, respectively) were significantly lower than those of fish fed the commercial rainbow trout diets (143–217% and 0.49–0.64, respectively). In the second experiment, the same dietary treatments were fed for 8 wk to juvenile bluegill initially weighing 3.7 g/fish. Each diet was fed twice daily at a rate of 4% of body weight/d to triplicate groups of fish. Weight gain was significantly higher in fish fed commercial trout diets (291–402%) compared to fish fed diets formulated for channel catfish (164–191%). Weight gain and FE of fish fed CAS/ARG were significantly higher than those of fish fed the commercial catfish diets, but significantly lower than those of fish fed the best commercial trout diets. Results of this study indicate that commercial rainbow trout diets are preferable to commercial channel catfish diets for culture of bluegill and hybrid bluegill. More research is needed to identify appropriate experimental diets for this group of fishes.

Evaluation of Bioelectric Impedance to Predict Carcass Yield, Carcass Composition, and Fillet Composition in Farm‐Raised Catfish

Abstract.— Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) was evaluated as a method for predicting carcass yield, fat, and moisture in live channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (N = 20), and fat and moisture in fillets from channel catfish (N= 20) and channel catfish female × blue catfish male, I. furcatus, hybrids (N= 20). Fish were cultured in ponds, fed a commercial catfish diet (28% protein), and harvested at market weight (450 g‐900 g, ∼19 months post‐hatch). Live channel catfish were tranquilized, weighed, and sexed. Resistance and reactance were measured with a four‐terminal impedance analyzer. Fish were then deheaded, eviscerated, weighed, and carcass yield was calculated. Fillets from channel catfish and channel catfish × blue catfish hybrids were measured for weight, resistance, and reactance. Carcasses and fillets were ground and fat and moisture were determined by chemical analysis. Regression models including total weight, resistance, and reactance as independent variables explained 71%, 75%, and 65% of the variation in carcass yield, fat, and moisture, respectively, in live fish. Regression models with fillet weight, resistance, and reactance as independent variables explained 62% and 41% of the variation in fillet fat and moisture, respectively, in channel catfish, and 53% and 58% of the variation in fillet fat and moisture, respectively, in channel catfish × blue catfish hybrids. Models including resistance and reactance explained significantly more variation in the traits measured than did models containing only whole weight as an independent variable. Improvements in prediction accuracy will be needed to make BIA a useful tool for predicting carcass yield, carcass composition, and fillet composition in farm‐raised catfish.

Growth, Survival, and Body Composition of Cage‐Cultured Nile TilapiaOreochromis niloticusFed Pelleted and Unpelleted Distillers Grains with Solubles in Polyculture with Freshwater PrawnMacrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract.—A 12‐wk feeding trial was conducted in cages with juvenile Nile tilapiaOreochromis niloticusto evaluate distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a direct feed, the effects of pelleting on its utilization, and the compatibility of caged tilapia and prawns in polyculture. Nine 1.0‐m3cages were stocked with 200 juvenile (26 ± 0.9 g) tilapia. Cages were suspended in a 0.2‐ha pond stocked with juvenile freshwater prawnsMacrobrachium rosenbergiiat 40,000/ha. Three replicate cages were randomly assigned to each dietary treatment. In one dietary treatment DDGS was fed as an unpelleted loose grain ration (26% protein). In a second dietary treatment fish were fed DDGS that had been steam‐pelleted (23% protein). Fish in a third dietary treatment were fed a commercial catfish diet (31% protein) for comparison. After 12 wk, individual weight, individual length, and specific growth rate were significantly higher (P&lt; 0.05) and feed conversion ratio was significantly lower (P&lt; 0.05) for fish fed the commercial catfish diet than for fish fed either unpelleted or pelleted DDGS. Specific growth rate was significantly higher (P&lt; 0.05) for fish fed pelleted DDGS than for fish fed unpelleted DDGS. Survival did not differ significantly (P&gt; 0.05) among treatments (&gt;95%). Although growth was increased in fish fed the commercial diet, their cost of production (&lt;0.66/kg gain) was significantly higher (P&lt; 0.05) than in fish fed unpelleted and pelleted DDGS (&lt;0.26/ kg gain and &lt;0.37/kg gain, respectively). The costs of gain in fish fed unpelleted DDGS was significantly lower (P&lt; 0.05) than in fish fed the pelleted DDGS. Prawn production was 1,449 kg/ha and addition of tilapia in polyculture increased total pond productivity approximately 81 %. These data suggest that DDGS provides economical growth in tilapia when fed as a direct feed and that polyculture of tilapia may improve overall pond efficiency in freshwater prawn production ponds, even at temperate latitudes.

Re-evaluation of vitamin E supplementation of practical diets for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus , production

A 10-month feeding trial was performed with channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, to re-evaluate the minimum level of dietary vitamin E supplementation required under conditions of commercial production. Four levels (0, 15, 30 and 60 mg kg−1 diet) of supplemental vitamin E were added as DL-α-tocopherol acetate to a typical commercial catfish diet. Sixteen 0.04-ha ponds were stocked in July, at a rate of 25 000 fish ha−1, with two size classes (averaging 18 and 265 g fish−1) of fingerling channel catfish, and each diet was fed to fish in four replicate ponds once daily to satiation. After 10 months of feeding, a total harvest was performed to obtain final production data, and samples were obtained from fish in all ponds. Liver and plasma samples were obtained for α-tocopherol determination, and liver, heart and muscle samples were processed for histological evaluation. No discernible differences occurred among fish fed the different diets with respect to weight gain or survival. Mean production rate was 9734 kg ha−1, with a final average fish weight of 0.53 kg. A significant (P < 0.05) effect of diet was noted in plasma and liver α-tocopherol levels, which increased with dietary supplementation. An effect of size also was apparent, with plasma and liver α-tocopherol levels being higher in larger fish compared with smaller fish within a dietary treatment. Histological evaluation revealed no differences among fish fed the different dietary treatments. Based on the lack of overt histological signs of deficiency, it appears that the current level of vitamin E supplementation of commercial catfish diets may be reduced considerably with no detriment to channel catfish health or production.

Growth and body composition of channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) fed diets containing various percentages of canola meal

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted in aquaria with juvenile (10 g) channel catfish to examine the effects of partially substituting canola meal for soybean meal in prepared diets. Six isonitrogenous (32% protein) and isocaloric (2.7 kcal digestible energy g −1) diets were formulated to contain 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48% canola meal (CM). There were two diets with 0% CM; one with 8% fish meal (FM) and one with 4% FM. All diets with CM had 4% FM. Fish were fed twice daily all they could consume in 20 min. After 12 weeks, fish fed a diet with 8% FM and 0% CM had significantly higher ( P < 0.05) percentage weight gains than fish fed all other diets. Fish fed diets containing 12 and 36% CM had significantly higher ( P < 0.05) percentage weight gains (average 604%) than fish fed a diet containing 48% CM. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fish fed a diet containing 48% CM was significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) higher (2.25) than values for fish fed 12, 24, and 36% CM. There were no histological differences in the thyroid of fish fed any of the diets. These data suggest that channel catfish can be fed diets containing up to 36% CM without adverse effects on growth or body composition. Fish fed a diet with 48% CM had a lower percentage weight gain compared with fish fed diets containing between 12 and 36% CM, possibly due to reduced palatability of the diet. Use of canola meal in practical diets for channel catfish may allow producers and feed mills to formulate more economical diets by adding another plant protein source to ingredients used in commercial catfish diets.

Growth, Body Composition, and Organoleptic Evaluation of Channel Catfish Fed Diets Containing Different Percentages of Distillers' Grains with Solubles

Juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were stocked in twelve 1.25-m3 floating cages at densities of 320 fish/m3 and fed to satiety twice daily for 110 d with one of four diets. Each diet contained a certain percentage (0, 10, 20, or 30%) of distillers 1 grains with solubles (DCS), which partially replaced soybean meal and corn. Individual weights of fish, survival, food conversion (FC, weight of feed given/weight gain by fish), and body composition (percentage moisture, protein, fat, and ash) of waste (head, skin, and viscera) and dressed carcasses were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among treatments. Fish fed a diet containing 10% DCS (mean individual total length, 26.7 cm) were significantly shorter (P 0,05) from fish fed diets with 0 and 20% DCS. Average individual weight was 219 g, survival was 92.1%, and FC was 1.6. Percentage fat (dry-matter basis) in the carcasses of cage-reared channel catfish averaged 38%. Organoleptic evaluation of fillets indicated that the fat complex flavor was of significantly higher intensity (P < 0.05) in cage-reared fish than in pond-raised fish. However, Organoleptic evaluation indicated that DCS impart no adverse taste to channel catfish. These data indicate that DCS can be used in a least-cost diet formulation for channel catfish at rates of up to 30%. This option allows feed producers flexibility in diet formulations for commercial catfish diets. Least-cost diet formulations offer economic ad- vantages in the preparation of a nutritionally com- plete diet by allowing change in diet formulations when ingredient prices fluctuate. Evaluation of al- ternative protein sources remains a high priority for fish nutritionists. Distillers' grains with solu- bles (DGS) are primary fermentation residues from

Zinc supplementation of practical channel catfish diets

A 10-week feeding trial was conducted with fingerling channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus to determine the supplemental zinc level needed in a practical catfish diet. As phytic acid has been demonstrated to reduce zinc bioavailability, diets in this study were formulated to contain a relatively high level of phytic acid as compared to most commercial catfish diets. Incremental levels of zinc (as ZnO) were added to a soybean meal-based diet which contained 54 mg Zn/kg dry diet and 1.1% phytic acid. Catfish growth and feed efficiency were not improved with zinc supplementation. Serum zinc concentration did not increase significantly above a supplemental zinc level of 100 mg Zn/kg diet; whereas, bone zinc concentration plateaued at the 150 mg/kg supplemental zinc level and above. Based on these data a supplemental zinc level of 150 mg Zn/kg diet is recommended for practical catfish feeds to provide enough available zinc to the channel catfish.