Effect of feeding time and frequency on the growth and feed utilization of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) fingerlings

The effects of feeding time and frequency on the growth, feed utilization and survival of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822; family Clariidae) fingerlings were evaluated in a 25-day study. Groups of African catfish with an initial individual weight of 0.98 ± 0.02 g were offered feeds continuously for 24 h, or during the day or night at different time intervals, with varying meal size. The growth rate was significantly affected by meal times. Widely practised day time feeding with three equal size meals a day gave the lowest growth and highest food wastage. The growth rates of fish fed continuously or during night time following their feed demand were significantly higher with lowest food conversion ratios and food wastage.