Comparison of Practical Catfish Feeds Containing 26 or 30% Protein

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Abstract
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were grown in 0.04-hectare earthen ponds and fed practical diets containing either 26 or 30% crude protein. Experimental diets were formulated to contain similar protein : energy ratios, the proper levels of essential amino acids, and a minimal amount of fish meal. Fish were stocked at a density of 7,413 fish!hectare and fed for 119 d at rates that gradually declined from 5% of body weight per day. Weight gain, survival, feed conversion ratio, dressout percentage, and proximate composition of edible tissue were not significantly different between dietary treatment groups. Based on these results, it appears that a feed containing 26% protein from a combination of high-quality sources and having the proper protein: energy ratio is adequate for channel catfish reared in ponds at low to moderate densities.