Effects of feeding frequency on the growth and production performance of indigenous catfish Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) in ponds of Northern Bangladesh

Md. Selim Reza; Md. Abdus  Samad; Jannatul  Ferdous

doi:10.17017/j.fish.302

Md. Selim Reza Program Officer (Enterprise Development-Fisheries), Sustainable Enterprise Project PKSF, Bangladesh; Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7621-6241
Md. Abdus Samad Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
Jannatul Ferdous Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.302

Keywords: Catfish, Clarias batrachus, feeding frequency, growth, pond aquaculture, production

Abstract

Effects of feeding frequency on the growth performance and production of Clarias batrachus was evaluated for a period of 180 days. Feeding frequency were once (T₁), twice (T₂) and thrice (T₃) per day. Stocking density was 16750 fingerlings ha^–1. The fish were initially fed 28% protein containing formulated feed at the rate of 8% of body weight which subsequently reduced to 5% at the end. The water quality parameters were monitored fortnightly and found similar across treatments and remained within the suitable ranges for aquaculture. The mean weight gain was 41.14±0.15, 44.49±0.78 and 56.10±0.86 g and specific growth rate (SGR) of 1.29±0.002, 1.33±0.01 and 1.44±0.01% per day in T₁, T₂ and T₃ respectively. The highest survival rate was in T₂ (96.23±0.76%) whereas the lowest was in T₁ (95.32±0.76%). The lowest FCR (=best; 1.65±0.12) was found in T₃ and the highest FCR (=worst; 2.14±0.15) was recorded in T₁. The highest production was observed in T₃ (3559.27±85.95 kg ha^–1), which was significantly higher than that of other treatments. This study concludes that feeding three times per day is effective for C. batrachus.

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