Effects of Feeding Levels on Production Characteristics of Pond- Raised African Catfish in Pond Culture System of Pakistan

Abstract

T he knowledge about the proper feed is very important because fish feed accounts for 40-50% of the production costs for the fish culture. The development of new balanced commercial diets, the proper feeding regime especially the appropriate amount feed offered is very important to promote optimal fish growth and health. The cost if fish production can be reduced tremendously reduced if fish is fed at the optimum rate. Feeding rate is affect the water quality, survival, health, growth, and fillet composition (Davies et al., 2006). One problem that is faced by fish culturists is to determine a balance Abstract | A fish species (African catfish, Clarias gariepinus) with high growth and production potential was imported from Thailand and acclimatized in the local environment of Pakistan. For the successful culture of any fish species, the knowledge about the proper feeding regime especially the appropriate amount feed offered, is very important. To determine the optimum feeding level for African catfish culture, an experiment was conducted in earthen ponds of size 0.02 hectare each, for the period of four months at a stocking rate of 10,000 fingerlings per hectare (500 fish/acre). The experiment design was CRD with four treatments (2%, 4%, 6% and 8% feeding level of wet fish body weight daily) having 3 replications. The feeding the fish at higher levels showed higher final weight and weight gain, percent weight gain and specific growth rate. The values of Feed Efficiency (FE) and Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) were best at the lower feeding levels.Although maximum weight gain is 8% feeding level, yet based upon cost benefit analysis, feeding at 4% rate was considered best. The economic profitability for the culture of African catfish in earthen ponds showed that net profit is increased on increasing feeding level from 2 to 4% of wet fish body weight, however, upon further increase in feeding level from 6 and 8%, the feed cost was increased that decreased the net profit. So, it was concluded that the feeding level of 4% wet fish body weight was optimum for economical production of African catfish in earthen pond culture system of Pakistan.