NUTRITION IN CATFISH FEED

Catfish farmers are able to feed a
nutritionally complete diet that
provides required levels of
nutrients and energy in a readily
digestible form. It is essential to
provide a complete diet because catfish can synthesize only a small
portion of the required nutrients
and the quantity of nutrients from
natural food organisms in the pond is relatively small. Forty nutrients have been identified as necessary for the normal metabolic function of channel catfish. Based on current knowledge, a digestible energy to crude protein (DE/P) ratio of 8.5-10 kcal/gram is adequate for use in commercial catfish feeds. Ratios above this range may lead to increased fat deposition and if the energy ratio is too low, the fish will grow slowly. Catfish feeds contain grain or grain by-products that are rich in starch.
In addition to providing an
inexpensive energy source, starch
helps bind feed ingredients
together and increases expansion of extruded feeds so that the feed
pellets are water stable and float in the water. A typical catfish feed
contains 25 percent or more of
digestible carbohydrates. Lipid levels in commercial catfish
feeds rarely exceed 5-6 percent.
About 3-4 percent of the lipid is
inherent in the feed ingredients,
with the remaining 1-2 percent
being sprayed onto the finished pellets to reduce feed “fines”.
Both vegetable and animal lipids
have been used for pellet coating. Considerable work has been
conducted over the last 10 years
concerning the level of dietary
protein and amino acids needed for cost effective growth. Data from these studies indicate that the dietary protein requirement for various life stages of catfish ranges from about 25-50 percent. Recent studies have indicated that a protein level of 28 percent is
adequate for growout when fish are fed to satiation. Catfish feed are generally supplemented with a vitamin premix to meet dietary
requirements and to compensate
for losses due to feed manufacture and storage. Catfish feeds are also supplemented with phosphorus and a trace mineral premix.
FOR CONSULTANCY CALL. 08032861326.

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