The catfish feeding frequency is the number of times fish in a pond are fed in a day. Feeding is very vital in catfish farming, so the farmer should ensure the fish are well fed to ensure proper growth and also reduce cannibalism which is mostly caused by improper feeding.
The size of the fish should be taken into account when deciding how frequently fish should be fed each day. Proper feeding frequencies reduce starvation and result in more uniform sizes of fish. Smaller catfish need to be fed more frequently than adults because they have higher metabolic rates and their stomachs are too small to hold all the feed they require for a day.
Studies have shown that fry and fingerlings that had higher feeding frequencies exhibited growth advantages as compared to lesser feeding frequencies. The optimum feeding frequency required for the growth of catfish generally depends on several factors which include fish size, age, pond type, temperature, feed quality, and amount of feed provided.
The following are various feeding frequencies based on fish size
- Fry: feeding frequency should be around 6-5 times daily
- Fingerlings: feeding frequency should be around 4-3 times daily
- Juveniles: feeding frequency should be around 3 times daily
- Mélange: feeding frequency should be around 2 times daily.
- Catfish from 600g can be fed once a day because at this size the stomach can hold enough food for the day (However, twice a day is recommended for efficient growth)
Conclusion
Feeding should start in the morning because dissolved oxygen begins to increase during the day the weather gets warm. The feed administered at a meal should be consumed within the first 15 minutes of the feeding if a floating diet is being used. Ensure the feeding frequency does not impact on the water quality there increasing the cost of production.
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Hi,
Thanks for your insight into Catfish Farming. I have done the growout twice and don’t seem to get it right.
The first I stocked 1,050 in a 14 ft diameter 4 ft high Tarpaulin Pondand after 5 months I havested 60 % and lost the rest. I use the Response Feeding Method where you feed until they stop eating, remove the excess feed from the pond and dry for next feeding.
The second growout, stocked 1,435 with idea of getting 1000 at the end. I added two 6ft x 5ft x 3ft Rectangular Ponds to sort easily. I ended up with 500 Catfishes .
I use the RAS system, tested my water source and it’s cleared for use.
I use 45% protein feed for 2 month before going for 42% Feed and even though it’s a RAS, I change the water when there’s a smell and waste build up about 2-3 weeks.
Please any advise on how I could improve the output to at least 80%?
Thanks.
Hello Sampson. from your comment you keeping up with the farm management practices,you should watch out for the seeds you bought the fingerlings or juveniles