Cage culture of sutchi catfish, Pangasius sutchi (Fowler 1937): effects of stocking density on growth, survival, yield and farm profitability

The sutchi catfish, Pangasius sutchi (Fowler 1937) was grown at 10 stocking densities in cages suspended in a river‐fed channel during the summer of 2000. Catfish fingerlings (mean length 9.1–9.7 cm and mean weight 5.9–6.7 g) were stocked at densities of 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 fish m^?3. After 150 days, growth and yield parameters were studied and a simple economic analysis was carried out to calculate profitability. The mean gross yield ranged from 15.6±0.27 to 34.5±0.44 kg m^?3 and the net yield ranged from 15.2±0.22 to 33.5±0.36 kg m^?3 and showed significant variations (P<0.05). The mean weights of fish at harvest were inversely related to stocking density. Both gross and net yields were significantly different and were directly influenced by stocking density but the specific growth rate, survival rate and feed conversion rate were unaffected. Higher stocking density resulted in higher yield per unit of production cost and lower cost per unit of yield. The net revenue increased positively with increasing stocking density. A density of 150 fish m^?3 produced the best production and farm economics among the densities tested in this experiment.     

Evaluation of mixed feeding schedules with respect to compensatory growth and body composition in African catfish Clarias gariepinus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted in a recycling water system at 28 ± 1 °C to investigate compensatory growth and body composition in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (13.05 ± 0.05 g). A fishmeal‐based diet containing 350 g kg^?1 protein and 17.5 kJ g^?1 gross energy was fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (per 30‐L tank). Fish were fed the diet either to satiation or feed restricted in six feeding schedules as satiation 56 days; restricted 28 days + satiation 28 days; restricted 14 days + satiation 14 days; restricted 7 days +satiation 7 days; restricted 3 days + satiation 4 days; and restricted 2 days + satiation 2 days. The restricted regime was achieved by offering fish 1% (maintenance ration) of their body weight per day adjusted after fortnightly weighing. African catfish showed partial compensatory growth under alternating periods of feed restriction and satiation feeding with significantly different values (P < 0.05) from fish fed in satiation throughout. However, significantly indifferent (P > 0.05) values of feed, protein, lipid and energy utilization were found under alternating periods of feed restriction and satiation feeding. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed intake was observed in treatment with satiation throughout than those in other treatments. All the feeding schedules showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) on body composition, organ indices, eviscerated carcass composition, viscera lipid and liver lipid. These studies reveals that C. gariepinus showed partial compensatory growth responses at alternating periods of restricted and satiation feeding.     

Effect of mixed feeding schedules with varying dietary protein levels on the growth of sutchi catfish, Pangasius hypophthalmus (Sauvage) with silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes) in ponds

A 6‐month feeding trial was conducted in field condition using 10 farm ponds (400–600 m²) to investigate the effect of mixed feeding schedules on the growth of sutchi catfish, Pangasius hypophthalmus with silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Fish were stocked at a ratio of 80:20 (sutchi catfish, 4.9±0.5 g: silver carp, 12.0±0.8 g) at the total rate of 25 000 ha^?1. Two diets of high protein (30%, HP) and low protein (16%, LP) were prepared using locally available feed ingredients. Five different feeding schedules of high‐protein diet continuously (HP), low‐protein diet continuously (LP), 1‐day low–protein/1‐day high‐protein diet (1LP/1HP), 7 days low–protein/7 days high‐protein diet (7LP/7HP) and 14 days low–protein/14 days high‐protein diet (14LP/14HP) were tested. The fish were fed twice daily at the rate of 15%, 10%, 8% and 5% of their body weight for first, second, third month and rest of experimental period respectively. Feeding rate was calculated only on the basis of sutchi catfish weight only and was adjusted every 2 weeks according to weight gain. Fish fed LP and HP on alternate day (1LP/1HP) resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher growth rate, feed utilization and production among the treatments. However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the growth rates and production of fish fed HP regularly and fish fed 7 days LP followed by 7 days HP (7LP/7HP). Fish maintained on LP grew the least. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) values for sutchi catfish ranged between 2.04 and 2.79 with feeding schedule 1LP/1HP showing the best FCR. The total production of fish (including silver carp) ranged between 8310 and 12 422 kg ha^?1 6 months^?1 with 1LP/1HP feeding schedule resulting in the highest production and net profit. The study demonstrated that feeding fish continuously with HP is less economical. Thus, for profitable sutchi catfish culture with silver carp, farmers can use the mixed feeding schedule of alternate day feeding of LP and HP as a means of reducing feed costs.     

Effect of restricted feeding and refeeding on compensatory growth,nutrient utilization and gain,production performance and whole body composition of carp cultured in earthen pond

To assess the compensatory growth, a 10‐month pond experiment was conducted in which three species of Indian major carps, viz. Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala (1 : 1 : 1), were stocked at 7500 ha^?1 and the fish were subjected to different restricted feeding and refeeding protocols, viz. Control (C): Continuously fed for 10 months; Treatment‐1 (T‐1): Initial supplementary feeding for 2 months+ No supplementary feeding for 1 month + Refeeding for 7 months; Treatment‐2 (T‐2): Initial supplementary feeding for 2 months + No supplementary feeding for 2 months + Refeeding for 6 months; and Treatment‐3 (T‐3): Initial supplementary feeding for 2 months + No supplementary feeding for 3 months + Refeeding for 5 months in triplicate ponds. At the end of experiment, 100% growth compensation was achieved in T‐2 for all the three carp species. Among all treatments, higher weight gain, PER and PPV and lower AFCR were also recorded in T‐2, resulting in maximum fish production. The restricted feeding had significant effect (P < 0.05) on whole body chemical composition of fish. From this study, it is concluded that in 10‐month pond culture of carp in fertilized pond, the T‐2 would be the best and most economic feeding strategy.     

Evaluation of soybean meal in the formulated diets for juvenile Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878)

The influence of soybean meal (SBM) on the growth and feed utilization of juvenile sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Sauvage, 1878) was investigated. Eight isonitrogenous (300 g kg^?1 CP) and isoenergetic (18 MJ kg^?1) diets were formulated incorporating Argentine SBM to replace fish meal at 0, 150, 300, 450, 600, 750, 900 and 1000 g kg^?1 dietary protein. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish with an initial weight 6.0–6.2 g for twelve weeks. Growth performance decreased, and feed utilization was worsened with the increase in SBM inclusion in the diets. Final weight and relative growth rate (RGR) of fish fed control diet (0 SBM) were significantly higher than those fed test diets (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the final weight and RGR between the fish fed on 15 SBM, 30 SBM, 45 SBM and 60 SBM diets. Specific growth rate of fish fed 0 SBM, 15 SBM, 30 SBM and 45 SBM diets was significantly higher than those fed other diets. Feed conversion ratio of fish fed 0 SBM, 15 SBM, 30 SBM, 45 SBM and 60 SBM diets was significantly lower than those fed other diets (P < 0.05). The dry matter and protein digestibility were lesser in all the diets in comparison with the control diet. Hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index increased with increasing SBM in diet. This present trial indicated that fish meal can be replaced by SBM in the diet of juvenile sutchi catfish only up to 45% of fish meal protein without any adverse effect on growth, feed utilization and body composition.     

Growth performance, body composition and plasma thyroid hormone status of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in response to short-term feed deprivation and refeeding

A 6-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of short-term feed deprivation on inducing compensatory growth and changes in thyroid hormone levels of channel catfish. Feeding treatments consisted of the following four regimes of 2-week duration: satiate feeding (control), no feed for 3 days then feeding to apparent satiation for the next 11 days, no feed for 5 days then feeding to apparent satiation for 9 days, and no feed for 7 days then feeding to apparent satiation for 7 days. These regimes were repeated three times over the 6-week trial in which 25 channel catfish fingerlings, initially averaging 15 g each, were stocked into each of 12, 38-l glass aquaria supplied with supplemental aeration and flow-through water. Depriving fish of feed had a pronounced effect in that fish lost weight in as little as 3 days. Returning the fish to a satiate feeding regime caused a resumption of growth, equal to control growth only in the case of the 3-day deprived treatment, but all periods of feed deprivation failed to induce a period of catch-up growth adequate to compensate for previously lost weight. Feed efficiency also was not improved by the periods of feed deprivation, and restricting feed in excess of 3 days lowered feed efficiency. Fish condition indices were not altered at the termination of the trial. Muscle lipid, muscle protein and liver protein also were not different among feeding regimes. Liver lipid was elevated in fish deprived of feed for more than 3 days every 2 weeks. Plasma thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) were equally depressed by 3 days from the onset of feed deprivation. Both hormones rose significantly within 24 h of realimentation, with the greatest increase observed in animals subjected to the briefest feed deprivation. These results support a role for thyroid hormones in the promotion of growth in channel catfish. Whereas feed deprivation appears to rapidly reduce activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis, the high correlation observed between T₄ and T₃ in all treatments suggests that peripheral deiodinating systems are capable of rapidly generating T₃ from T₄ upon realimentation. More rapid recovery of thyroid hormone production following realimentation may minimize the effects of feed deprivation on growth and feed efficiency of fish subjected to the 3-day deprivation treatment when compared to longer periods.     

Effect of different sources and forms of dietary carbohydrates on growth performance,body indices and lipogenesis activity of striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine a suitable carbohydrate source and form for Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. Ten isoenergetic, isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets, including five carbohydrate sources (dextrin, potato starch, wheat starch, corn starch and sago starch) and two carbohydrate forms (raw and cooked), were formulated. Results showed that specific growth rate, weight gain percentage, whole‐body lipid and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase enzyme activity of fish fed with cooked carbohydrates were significantly lower (p < .05) than those fed with raw carbohydrates (p < .05). Similarly, the fatty acid synthase enzyme activity of fish fed with the cooked form of carbohydrates was significantly lower (p < .05) than that fed with the raw form of carbohydrates except fish fed with cooked potato starch. The blood glucose level and malic enzyme activity of fish fed with cooked carbohydrate were significantly (p < .05) higher than those fed with raw carbohydrate. In summary, this study showed that cooked starch is an unsuitable dietary carbohydrate form for Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings. The raw forms of dextrin starch and potato are suitable dietary carbohydrate sources for further scientific studies on the carbohydrate utilization of P. hypophthalmus.     

Evaluation of feed utilization and growth performance of juvenile striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fed diets with varying inclusion levels of corn gluten meal

A nutrition trial with striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) juveniles was undertaken to evaluate the effect of replacing dietary fishmeal (FM) protein with corn gluten meal (CGM). A diet with FM as the main protein source was used as the control diet (FM). Five experimental diets (approximately 320 g kg^?1 crude protein) were formulated to progressively replace 20% (CGM20), 40% (CGM40), 60% (CGM60), 80% (CGM80) and 100% (CGM100) of FM protein. Fifteen fish per tank (initial weight 11.2 ± 0.6 g) were randomly distributed into 18 80‐litre fibreglass tanks connected to a closed recirculation system (temperature 30.3 ± 1.0 °C). The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. The final weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diets CGM20, CGM40 and CGM60 were not significantly different compared to fish fed the FM diet. Feed intake (FI) tended to decrease with increasing dietary CGM level. Striped catfish fed FM, CGM20 and CGM40 had significantly lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with fish fed CGM80 and CGM100 (P < 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets was significantly lower than those of all other treatments (P < 0.05). Total ammonia‐nitrogen (TAN) excretion increased with elevated dietary CGM inclusion. The viscerosomatic index (VSI) of fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of fish fed the other treatments. The crude lipid content in the final body composition of the striped catfish was elevated significantly with increasing dietary CGM levels. Fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets displayed haematocrit levels significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those fed the other diets. The haemoglobin content in fish was significantly higher in fish fed CGM20 and lower at CGM100 compared to fish fed the FM diet. The results of the present trial indicated that the optimum level of FM protein replacement with CGM determined by quadratic regression analysis was 25.1% on the basis of maximum SGR.     

长吻鮠、异育银鲫和草鱼补偿生长的比较研究

在水温(26±2)℃、自然光照条件下,以长吻(Leiocassis longirostris)、异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)和草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)为研究对象,设定3种投喂方式。实验饵料为水蚯蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)。第1种方式为连续投喂,整个实验期间不间断;第2种连续投喂4 d后饥饿1 d;第3种连续投喂2 d后饥饿1 d。3种方式分别以S0(对照组)、S1/4和S1/2表示。实验周期均为30 d。结果显示,长吻和异育银鲫在3种处理条件下的终体重无显著差异,草鱼在S0组(对照组)和S1/4组的终体重无显著差异,S1/2组的终体重显著降低。这表明,长吻和异育银鲫在S1/4和S1/2组时具有完全补偿生长现象,而草鱼只在S1/4组具有完全补偿生长现象,在S1/2组则发生部分补偿生长。结论认为,长吻和异育银鲫的补偿生长能力要强于草鱼。3种鱼在不同处理条件下的饲料转化效率和蛋白质效率比都没有显著差异,补偿生长是通过提高实际摄食率实现的。     

Comparison on growth performance,body coloration changes and stress response of juvenile river catfish,Pangasius hypophthalmus reared in different tank background colour

The effects of different tank background colours (green, black and white) on the growth performance and body coloration of juvenile river cafish, Pangasius hypophthalmus, were examined in this study. The experimental fish with an initial body weight (BW) 0.13 ± 0.05 g and total length (TL) 2.54 ± 0.37 cm were used, and groups of 15 fish per tank were randomly distributed. The experiment was conducted for 20 days as a triplicate for each treatment. Survival, growth in BW, body weight gain (BWG), total length (TL), total length gain (TLG), specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor, feed conversion ratio (FCR), swimming speed, body coloration and stress response were evaluated. River catfish reared in white and green tanks attained significantly higher BW, BWG, TL, TLG and SGR compared to the black tank. The white tank attained significantly better FCR compared to the black tank. River catfish showed the most active swimming behaviour in the green tank (5.49 ± 1.32 cm/s) while the least in the white tank (3.37 ± 0.93 cm/s). Body coloration of river catfish in the black tank showed almost pure black body coloration (75.59 ± 9.08), followed by the green tank (126.23 ± 17.46) and the white tank (148.19 ± 10.51). However, there was no significant difference in the stress level of river catfish reared in white and black tanks and insignificant to those reared in the green tank. The findings in this study showed that the white and green background colour tanks can be used for promoting growth of river catfish culture while the black background colour tank can enhance body coloration that is suitable as ornamental fish.     

Metabolic and digestive enzyme activity of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) fingerlings in response to alternate feeding of different protein levels in the diet

A feeding trial was conducted for 90 days to assess the metabolic and digestive enzyme activity in response to alternate or mixed feeding of different protein levels in the diet of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings. One hundred and forty four fingerlings with an average weight of 5.0–5.5 g were distributed into four experimental groups each with triplicate. Four iso‐caloric diets with varying level of crude protein viz., 35%, 30%, 25% and 20% were made and designated as diet 35P, 30P, 25P and 20P respectively. Four treatments were maintained based on four different feeding schedules such as continuous feeding of diet 35P (35P/35P), alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 30P (35P/30P), alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 25P (35P/25P) and alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 20P (35P/20P). As a result, specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain percentage were relatively higher in treatment (35P/25P) followed by (35P/35P) and (35P/30P). The metabolic enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), Glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G6Pase), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were expressed better in (35P/35P) group followed by (35P/25P) and (35P/30P) groups. The digestive enzymes, protease and lipase activities were higher in (35P/35P) and (35P/25P) groups. The present study revealed that the better nutrient utilization and growth of 35P/25P group is because of their balanced digestive and metabolic enzyme activities through alternate level of higher and lower protein diet.     

不同饲料料型及投喂频率对斑点叉尾鮰幼鱼生长及肌肉品质的影响

本研究旨在探究不同饲料料型及投喂频率对斑点叉尾鮰(Ictalurus punctatus)生长及肌肉品质的影响。研究采用双因素试验设计,以饲料料型(膨化饲料,EF;颗粒饲料,PF)和投喂频率(2次/日,F2;3次/日,F3)为影响因素,共4个组,分别命名为EFF2、PFF2、EFF3和PFF3,每组3个平行,投喂8周,每天定时投喂两次(7:30和16:30)或3次(7:30, 12:00, 16:30)。结果显示,斑点叉尾鮰的末重和增重率受到投喂频率的影响,F2组显著高于F3组(P0.05);而饲料料型则对斑点叉尾鮰的生长无显著影响(P0.05)。颗粒饲料组的肌肉粗脂肪含量和内聚性、回复性显著低于膨化饲料组(P0.05),而硬度显著高于膨化饲料组(P0.05)。F3组的肌肉硬度、胶着性和咀嚼性则显著高于F2组(P0.05)。颗粒饲料组生肌调节因子5 (myogenic factor 5, Myf5)和肌肉生长抑制素(myostatin,MSTN)基因的相对表达量显著低于膨化饲料组(P0.05)。F3组肌肉中MSTN基因相对表达量显著高于F2组,而肌细胞生成素(myogenin,MyoG)基因相对表达量则呈现相反趋势。综上,投喂同种配方的膨化饲料和颗粒饲料对斑点叉尾鮰的生长效果相似,但是投喂颗粒饲料的斑点叉尾鮰硬度更大,而投喂膨化饲料则肌肉脂肪含量更高;斑点叉尾鮰的最佳投喂频率是每天2次。     

Effect of dietary Yucca schidigera extract on growth,total ammonia–nitrogen excretion and haematological parameters of juvenile striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

A feeding trial with striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus was performed to determine the effect of Yucca schidigera in practical diet on the growth, feed utilization, body composition, total ammonia–nitrogen (TAN) excretion and haematological parameters. A diet with fish meal as the main protein source without yucca extract was used as the control diet (Diet 1). Four diets were formulated with 0.075 (Diet 2), 0.1 (Diet 3) and 0.15 (Diet 4)% of yucca extract respectively. Fifteen fish per tank (initial mean weight 1.78 ± 0.05 g) were randomly allocated to 15 fibreglass tanks (80‐L) connected to a freshwater closed recirculation system (temperature 29.7 ± 1.0°C). The experimental diets were tested in triplicates for 12 weeks. The specific growth rate of fish fed Diet 4 was significantly higher when compared with fish fed Diet 1. The growth of fish fed diets Diet 2 and Diet 3 were not significantly different compared with fish fed the Diet 1. Striped catfish fed Diet 4 had significantly lower feed conversion ratio compared with fish fed Diet 1 and Diet 2 (P < 0.05).The incorporation of high level Yucca schidigera extract in the diets reduced TAN compared with Diet 1. Dietary inclusion of Yucca extract levels did not significantly affect the biometric parameters or whole body proximate composition of the striped catfish (P > 0.05). The PCV (%) in fish significantly increased with high levels of Yucca inclusion (Diet 4) compared with control diet. Fish fed Diet 4 showed significantly higher haemoglobin levels than Diet 1 (P < 0.05). The results indicate that dietary inclusion of Yucca schidigera extract is promising as a feed additive that could improve growth performance and some haematological parameters and the best Yucca schidigera level was 0.15%.     

Experimental assessment of the effects of sublethal salinities on growth performance and stress in cultured tra catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

The effects of a range of different sublethal salinities were assessed on physiological processes and growth performance in the freshwater ‘tra’ catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) juveniles over an 8-week experiment. Fish were distributed randomly among 6 salinity treatments [2, 6, 10, 14 and 18 g/L of salinity and a control (0 g/L)] with a subsequent 13-day period of acclimation. Low salinity conditions from 2 to 10 g/L provided optimal conditions with high survival and good growth performance, while 0 g/L and salinities >14 g/L gave poorer survival rates (p < 0.05). Salinity levels from freshwater to 10 g/L did not have any negative effects on fish weight gain, daily weight gain, or specific growth rate. Food conversion ratio, however, was lowest in the control treatment (p < 0.05) and highest at the maximum salinities tested (18 g/L treatment). Cortisol levels were elevated in the 14 and 18 g/L treatments after 6 h and reached a peak after 24-h exposure, and this also led to increases in plasma glucose concentration. After 14 days, surviving fish in all treatments appeared to have acclimated to their respective conditions with cortisol levels remaining under 5 ng/mL with glucose concentrations stable. Tra catfish do not appear to be efficient osmoregulators when salinity levels exceed 10 g/L, and at raised salinity levels, growth performance is compromised. In general, results of this study confirm that providing culture environments in the Mekong River Basin do not exceed 10 g/L salinity and that cultured tra catfish can continue to perform well.     

饥饿和补偿生长对点带石斑鱼幼鱼摄食和生长的影响

在水温29.2±0.2℃条件下,对点带石斑鱼幼鱼(1.832±0.03 g)进行了不同时间的饥饿后再供食的恢复生长试验。对照组(S0)持续投喂30 d,饥饿组S2、S4、S6、S8和S10分别饥饿2 d、4 d、6 d、8 d和10 d后再分别恢复投喂28 d、26 d、24 d、22 d和20 d。结果表明:饥饿组在恢复投喂后,体重迅速增重,且S2的体重超过了S0,但两者体重差异不显著(P>0.05),而其他各饥饿组的体重均显著低于S0和S2组(P<0.05)。点带石斑鱼经饥饿再恢复投喂,其特殊生长率和摄食率均显著高于S0(P<0.05);食物转化率呈波动变化,各饥饿组的食物转化率大部分均低于S0。比较分析认为,S2为完全补偿生长,其他各试验组为部分补偿生长,且这种补偿生长效应主要是通过恢复生长阶段提高摄食水平来实现。     

Development of a feeding strategy for silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell), based on restricted rations

To develop a feeding strategy for the Australian freshwater fish silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus Mitchell), a series of eight experiments was done in 1 m³ cages in an aerated, earthen pond to determine the effects of feeding rate (% body weight) and feeding frequency (no. of feeds day^?1) on the growth and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fingerlings and larger fish under ambient water temperatures over the range 13.8–30.6°C. Fish were fed extruded pellets of a silver perch diet containing 34% digestible protein and 14 MJ kg^?1 digestible energy. Commercial silver perch farmers were consulted about feeding practices for large fish (>500 g) and at water temperatures below 12°C, and winter feeding practices for other warmwater species were used to complete the strategy. In the feeding experiments, growth and FCR increased with increasing feeding rates to a level above which only FCR increased. Optimal feeding rates and frequencies were those which resulted in maximal growth, while minimizing effort (feeding frequency) and FCR. The highest feeding frequency required for maximal growth, including that of small fingerlings was twice (2 ×) daily, and the optimal feeding rates varied with water temperature and size of fish. The optimal daily regimes were: small fingerlings (initial mean weight, 2.0 g) 7.5% 2 × at a mean temperature of 23.3°C; fingerlings (14.9–27.7 g) 7.5% 2 × at 27.1°C, 5.0% 2 × at 23.7°C and 2.0% 1 × at 16.8°C; and large silver perch (162.5–510.6 g) 0.5% 1 × daily or 1.0% on alternate days at 15.6°C, 1.0% 1 × at 17.3°C, 3.0% 2 × at 24.1°C and 2.0% 2 × at 27.9°C. It is suggested that regimes of 0.5% 1 × daily for fingerlings (<50 g) and 0.5% 1 × on alternate days for larger fish are used at temperatures of 9–12°C, and 0.5% 3 days week^?1 and 0.5% 1 day week^?1 for fingerlings and larger fish, respectively, at 6–9°C. Feed inputs should not exceed 150 kg ha^?1 day^?1 in ponds less than 0.3 ha and 100 kg ha^?1 day^?1 in larger ponds. Our research has established a feeding strategy for silver perch based on restricted rations.     

Effects of feeding rate on growth, feed utilizationand body composition of a tropical bagrid catfish

A 10 week experiment was conducted to determine theeffects of feeding rate on growth, feed utilizationand body composition of the tropical bagrid catfish,Mystus nemurus. Catfish fingerlings with anaverage initial body weight of 12 g were fed apractical diet (36.2% protein, 16.5 kJ/g diet) atrates of 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 or 5% of their bodyweight (BW) per day in two equal meals. Watertemperature was approximately 29 °C throughoutthe experiment. Percent weight gain increased almostlinearly with increasing feeding rates up to 2.5%BW/day beyond which no significant (P > 0.05)improvement in weight gain was observed. The specificgrowth rate of catfish fed rations of 1% BW/day was0.72%/day and this increased significantly to anaverage of 1.39%/day for catfish fed 2.5% BW/day andbeyond. Feed utilization did not differ significantly(P > 0.05) between fish fed 1.0 to 2.5%BW/day but decreased when rations were increased to3.0% BW/day and above. Feed efficiency ratio was0.79 for catfish fed 1.0% BW/day compared to a ratioof 0.27 for fish fed at 5% BW/day. Catfish fed 1.0%BW/day had the lowest condition factor, hepato- andviscerosomatic indices, but the highest carcass tobody weight ratio. These fish also had lowerproportions of whole body dry matter, lipid andprotein, carcass dry matter and lipid, and visceraldry matter and lipid than fish in other groups. Therewere no significant differences in either conditionindices or relative body composition of fish fedrations of 2.0 to 5.0% BW/day. Based on the growth,feed efficiency and body composition data obtained, afeeding rate of 2.5% BW per day is recommended forM. nemurus fingerlings raised at 29 °C.     

Effects of feeding rate and dietary protein levels on the breeding performance of female yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

Nutritional components and feeding strategies are multifarious amongst different producers, whereas they are just designed for fish farming but not suitable for improving the reproductive performance of broodfish. Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), an omnivorous species, is one of the important aquaculture fish in China. In order to improve the reproductive performance of female yellow catfish (119.86—134.54 g), four feeding strategies (0.5%, 0.75%, 1% and 1.5% BW/d) and three dietary protein levels (34%, 40% and 46%) were examined, respectively, in the two separate trials. The females with moderate feed restriction (1%) showed significant lower mesenteric fat index (MFI) and higher gonadosomatic index (GSI) than the satiation group (1.5%) and excessive feeding restriction groups (0.5% and 0.75%). Females with high MFI were difficult to be artificially propagated and showed a high mortality rate, whilst the fish at 1.0% feeding rate displayed low mortality rate and high ratios of spawned fish, as well as high percentages of fertilization and hatching. Meanwhile, the offspring of 1.0% feeding rate group showed a low malformation rate and high survival rate. Multiple spawning in the same breeding season are applied in yellow catfish to reduce the number of parent fish and increase the fry production, and gonadal recrudescence after spawning might be affected by different nutrient values including dietary protein levels. In the second trail, female yellow catfish were fed with 34%, 40% and 46% crude protein diet at 1% feeding rate for the second spawning, and the best reproductive and breeding performances were observed in the fish group with 46% crude protein diet. These results demonstrate that 1% feeding rate is optimum for the spawning and reproductive performance of female yellow catfish for the first artificial spawning, and 46% dietary protein group had the best reproductive performances in the second spawning.     

Effects of cyclic feeding on compensatory growth of hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops×M. saxitilis) foodfish and water quality in production ponds

An 18‐week study was conducted in 12, 0.1 ha ponds to evaluate the impacts of cyclic feeding regimes on hybrid striped bass (HSB) foodfish production and pond water quality. Approximately 840 HSB [mean weight (std.); 91.08 g (8.18)] were stocked into each pond (8400 fish ha^?1; 3360 fish acre^?1) and fed according to one of three feeding regimes. The three feeding regimes included a control (fed twice daily to apparent satiation), and cycles of 3 weeks feed deprivation followed by 3 or 6 weeks of feeding to apparent satiation (3/3 and 3/6 respectively). Compensatory growth (CG) was observed in both cyclic feeding treatments; however, the response was insufficient for the fish to completely regain lost weight. Final mean weight of control fish (477.9 g) exceeded (P<0.05) that of fish receiving the two cyclic treatments: 3/6 (404.7 g) and 3/3 (353.8 g). Specific growth rate (SGR) of fish in the 3/3 treatment increased during all three refeeding periods, and was significantly greater than controls during weeks 9–12 and weeks 15–18, which represent the refeeding phase of the second and third feeding cycles. Specific growth rate for fish in the 3/6 treatment was significantly higher than controls only during the first 3 weeks of the first feeding cycle. Hepatosomatic index and condition factor were highly responsive measures that closely followed the metabolic state of fish on the feeding cycle. Of the water quality variables measured, total phosphorus was 32% lower in ponds receiving cyclic feeding versus control ponds. Soluble reactive phosphorus was 41% and 24% lower in ponds offered the 3/3 and 3/6 cyclic feeding treatments, respectively, although, significant differences (P<0.10) were only observed between control and 3/3 treatment ponds. Overall, CG was observed in HSB foodfish grown in ponds, although 3 weeks of feed deprivation was excessive and did not allow for complete growth compensation. Weight loss during feed deprivation was influenced by pond water temperatures. Early season feed deprivation did not cause as much weight loss as during the second cycle later in the season. Further studies on shorter deprivation periods applied during moderate to low water temperatures are needed to identify feeding regimes that minimize weight loss and result in a complete CG response.     

The effects of water temperature and stocking density on survival,feeding and growth of the juveniles of the hybrid yellow catfish from Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (♀) × Pelteobagrus vachelli (♂)

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of water temperature and stocking density on the survival, feeding and growth of the juveniles of the hybrid yellow catfish from Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (♀) × Pelteobagrus vachelli (♂) using the parameters as follows: survival rate (%), feeding rate (% day^?1), feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate (% day^?1), coefficient of variation (%), productivity (P, g m^?3 day^?1) and condition factor. We reared the juvenile fish (3.25 ± 0.21 g) at 12 water temperature levels and six stocking density levels (each level included three aquaria in two batches of experiments). The results showed that all groups survived at a temperature range of ≤35°C during a 46‐day experimental period, and they could achieve a high growth at a water temperature range of 26–32°C. The optimal temperature for growth was 29.8°C. Productivity peaked at a stocking density of 1.9 kg m^?3. Our results indicated that the hybrid is very suitable for commercial aquaculture.