A Practical Guide to Nutrition, Feeds, and ... - cop.eXtension.org

using this feeding strategy, but nutrient losses, especially
micronutrients, are likely due to leaching of
nutrients because of the extended time the pellet is in
contact with the water.
Food-Fish
Catfish grown for food are usually stocked as
advanced fingerlings of about 5–6 inches in length
(about 40–60 pounds per 1,000 fish). They are generally
fed a floating feed of approximately 5/32–3/16
inch in diameter containing 28–32% protein (Table 11).
It has generally been recommended to start with a 32%protein
feed in early spring, when temperature is
relatively low and fish are feeding with less vigor. As
the temperature increases and the fish are feeding vigorously,
change to a 28%-protein feed and feed to
satiation. Starting with the 32%-protein feed appears to
32 A Practical Guide to Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding of Catfish
be unnecessary because there is strong evidence that
the 28%-protein feed can be used throughout the
growout phase without detrimental effects. Because
management practices vary greatly throughout the catfish
industry, the choice of which feed to use is up to
the individual catfish producer.
On large commercial catfish farms, feed is typically
blown onto the surface of the water using
mechanical feeders that are either mounted on or pulled
by vehicles (Figure 8). Feeds should be scattered over
a large area to provide equal feeding opportunities for
as many fish as possible. It is desirable to feed on all
sides of the pond, but this is generally not practical on
large farms where several ponds of fish must be fed in
a limited period. In addition, prevailing winds dictate
that feed must be distributed along the upwind levee to
prevent it from washing ashore.
Figure 8. Catfish are being fed from a feeder drawn by a tractor along the pond levee.