DIETARY PROTEIN LEVELS FOR HYBRID CATFISH FINGERLINGS

What is it about?

In commercial nursery ponds, when catfish fry reach about 4−5 cm (1−2 g), they are generally fed a 35% protein, small floating pelleted feed. Dietary protein levels and sources have not been evaluated for hybrid catfish (female channel catfish × male blue catfish) fingerlings raised in production ponds. In this study we examined effects of diets containing 35% or 32% protein with menhaden fish meal or porcine meat, bone, and blood meal (PMBB) on production characteristics of pond-raised hybrid catfish fingerlings.

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Why is it important?

Prices of commercial 35% protein catfish fingerling feeds have increased to US$660−770/metric ton in the past few years. There is considerable interest among catfish fingerling producers in reducing feed cost. Results from the present study demonstrate hybrid catfish fingerlings of 2 g and above can be fed a 32% protein diet without compromising fish growth and FCR. Porcine meat, bone, and blood meal may completely replace fish meal in the diet. Although feed prices often fluctuate, the 32% protein diet with PMBB would provide considerable savings for hybrid catfish fingerling producers by eliminating the high-cost fish meal.

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