Feeding frequency and feed intake in the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

Abstract

Triplicate groups of subadult catfish (Clarias gariepinus; 102.18+/-30.48 g) were fed a purified diet to satiation twice or three times a day during the daylight hours for 26 days. Fish fed twice a day consumed 1.42+/-0.49% of their body weight per day. Those fed three times a day consumed 1.27+/-0.27%. The fish fed twice a day exhibited better growth and food conversion. Despite the use of purified diets, performance indices for the group fed twice per day were good, compared to previously reported data. The specific growth rate was 1.24+/-0.08%, the weight gain was 38.51+/-2.96% and the food conversion ratio was 0.72+/-0.13.