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Channel Catfish Production

Impacts of Diet Composition and Feeding Practices

Document format: pdf

Publisher: Southern Regional Aquaculture Center

Creation date: November 1993

Channel catfish require adequate protein in their diet for good growth and weight gain. Within certain limits, catfish grow faster as the protein content of their diet is increased. But when more protein is provided by the diet than fish can use for growth, the excess is used inefficiently as a source of energy or is lost through excretion. Because protein is the most expensive component in commercial fish feeds, producers benefit by feeding diets that meet, but don?t exceed, the protein requirements of growing fish. Today, most catfish producers feed 32 percent protein diets. Reducing the protein content further would reduce costs, but might also increase the body fat of fish. Because excess fat decreases dress-out yield and potential shelf-life of processed catfish, both researchers and producers want to know how little protein can be included in catfish diets without reducing product quality.

Key Words: USDA • SRAC • Catfish • Channel Catfish • Feed and Nutrition • Protein