Open AccessEffects of High‐Protein “Finishing” Feeds on Performance and Fat Content of Channel Catfish
Author(s) -
Robinson Edwin H.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1994.tb00231.x
Subject(s) - catfish , biology , feed conversion ratio , zoology , high protein , dietary protein , fish meal , fish <actinopterygii> , weight gain , food science , body weight , fishery , endocrinology
A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of using high‐protein “finishing” feeds on production and fat content of channel catfish. Fish were fed either: a 32% protein feed for 150 days; a 28% protein feed for 150 days; a 28% protein feed for 90 days and then a 38% protein feed for 60 days; a 28% protein feed for 90 days and then a 35% protein feed for 60 days; a 28% protein feed for 120 days and then a 38% protein feed for 30 days; or a 28% protein feed for 120 days and then a 35% protein feed for 30 days. The study was conducted in earthen ponds stocked with channel catfish at a rate of 14,826 fish/ha (35 g initial weight) and fed once daily to satiation. There were no significant differences in either feed consumption, weight gain, final weight, feed conversion ratio, survival, or percentage visceral fat of catfish regardless of treatment. Fillets from fish fed the 28% protein feed for 150 days contained more fat than fish on other treatments. There was no advantage of finishing channel catfish on high‐protein diets as compared to feeding either a 28 or 32% protein feed for the entire grow‐out period.