Dietary protein and energy modifications to maximize compensatory growth of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate influences of dietary protein and energy modifications as well as indispensable amino acid supplementation on channel catfish growth and body composition during compensatory growth. Four diets were formulated to contain 32% or 37% crude protein and were maintained isocaloric at an estimated digestible energy (DE) level of 3.0 or 3.6 kcal/g; a fifth diet was formulated to be equal to the diet containing 32% crude protein and 3.0 kcal DE/g but with the addition of an indispensable amino acid supplement at 5% of diet. Each of the five experimental diets was fed to channel catfish initially weighing 17 g for 6 weeks using either satiate feeding (control) or not feeding for 3 days then feeding to apparent satiation for the next 11 days in three cycles. Weight gain of channel catfish was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary treatment with a dietary energy level of 3.6 kcal DE/g enhancing weight gain. Cumulative weight gain also was increased in fish fed diets containing 37% crude protein compared to those fed diets containing 32% protein or the diet supplemented with amino acids. Compensatory growth was observed in response to the restricted feeding regime. Feed consumption was affected by dietary protein level and feeding regime. Fish fed diets containing amino acid supplementation and 37% protein reduced cumulative feed consumption compared to fish fed the diets with 32% protein. Fish on the restricted feeding regime had reduced feed consumption compared to satiate fed fish. Feed efficiency was improved in fish fed the high-energy diets and those fed the diet with 37% protein. Fish on the restricted feeding regime also had improved cumulative feed efficiency compared to fish fed daily to apparent satiation. Hepatosomatic index at the end of the experiment was altered by feeding regime, while intraperitoneal fat ratio was elevated by feeding higher dietary energy. Composition of liver and muscle was only slightly altered by dietary treatment. Therefore, the restricted feeding regime was capable of inducing elevated growth rates during refeeding but the dietary manipulations did not augment growth rates. 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

published proceedings

  • AQUACULTURE

author list (cited authors)

  • Gaylord, T. G., & Gatlin, D. M.

citation count

  • 115

complete list of authors

  • Gaylord, TG||Gatlin, DM

publication date

  • March 2001