Growth and reproductive performance of the Asian catfish Clarias macrocephalus (Gunther) fed artificial diets

Four natural ingredient diets similar in nutrient composition (crude protein = 42–44%; P/E ratio = 115–120 mg/kcal) but different in protein sources, were formulated and fed to hatchery‐reared catfish to measure the relative performance of the catfish fed alternative broodstock diets. The control feed was a combination of fish‐by‐catch and commercial fish pellets. In trial I, growth of the catfish was slow over a 36‐week period, but some fish became gravid. Diets 1, 2, and 3 and the control feed were tested in trial II. Growth of fish did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) and female fish in all treatments became gravid. For fish induced to spawn from April to August (1994), hatching rate showed significant differences among treatments (P < 0.05). Relative fecundity, fertilization and hatching rates, and production of 3‐day‐old larvae were significantly different among fish induced to spawn in November (1994) when another incubation setup was used. Among the diets, diets 2 and 3 best enhanced reproductive performance of the catfish.