Nutritional effects of protein source in starter diets for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque) in suboptimal water temperature

Intensive tank rearing of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque) fry can be successfully accomplished with commonly available ‘salmonid’ starter diets. Ingredient substitution in starter diets is less important from the cost perspective but growth, survival and health of fish are major concerns. Several combinations of fish meals and animal protein substitutes were evaluated in diet formulations for hatchery rearing of catfish fry. Sub‐optimal thermal conditions were used which are characteristic for the north‐central USA where catfish culture is important for stocking purposes and live‐fish markets. A diet formulated on the basis of menhaden fish meal (29.1%), herring fish meal (25.1%) and animal by‐product mixture (16.38%) gave numerically the highest growth rate after 13 weeks of feeding, although growth reductions in fish fed diets exclusively with mehaden meal (77.6%) as protein or substituted with 50% animal by‐product protein were not significant. Instantaneous mortality rates were the highest between weeks 2 and 4 of rearing and increased almost proportionally with the increased fish meal protein substitution. A diet based on menhaden fish meal had the highest concentration of phosphorus and several other essential minerals, but these were not reflected in the mineral composition of the fish body at the termination of feeding. Among activities of digestive enzymes, trypsin was depressed in fish offered diets with 75–100% fish meal protein replacement. A diet superior in terms of fish performance was defined in the present study and it was concluded that the initial feeding can greatly affect physiological status of juvenile channel catfish.     

Apparent Digestible Energy Coefficients and Associative Effects in Practical Diets for Red Swamp Crayfish

Adult red swamp crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii ) were held in fecal collection chambers and fed common feedstuffs in two different types of diets, as the sole feedstuff and as a 30% substitution in a reference diet. Feedstuffs tested were soybean meal, peanut meal, wheat shorts, cooked corn, menhaden fish meal, and shrimp-head meal. Feed consumption, apparent digestible dry matter, and energy coefficients were determined for feedstuffs when fed in both diets. Addition of menhaden fish meal, shrimp-head meal, and peanut meal in the reference diet resulted in decreased consumption, and menhaden fish meal was poorly digested when incorporated at 30% in the reference diet. Apparent dry matter and energy digestion coefficients Indicated that plant feedstuffs have greater potential as ingredients in crayfish diets than feedstuffs of animal origin. Differences in consumption and digestibility between the two types of diet were observed. Therefore, it appears that the associative effects of additions of feedstuffs in diets should be considered when formulating crayfish feeds.     

Evaluation of fermented fish‐offal in the formulated diet of the freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to test the effect of partial replacement of fishmeal by fish‐offal (FO) in the diet for the freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis. Three isonitrogenous (31.4% CP) diets were formulated to include a reference diet (T1) with 40% fishmeal (FM) and 0% FO and two supplementary diets: one (T2) containing 25% FM and 25% FO and another (T3) containing 20% FM and 30% FO. The FO was fermented along with mustard oil cake and rice bran before using it as an ingredient in the preparation of feed. Two separate trials were conducted with these three diets: a growth trial and a digestibility trial. H. fossilis fed the diets containing FO showed better growth and proximate composition of carcass than those fed the reference diet. Fish fed T3 diet showed maximum feed conversion, protein utilization and growth. Apparent protein digestibility (APD) was also significantly higher in the T3 diet as compared with the T1 diet. The results of the trial indicated that using microbial fermentation, FO could be included up to a 30% level as a partial (50%) replacement of fishmeal in the formulation of diet for H. fossilis.     

Digestibility of Alternative Protein‐Rich Feedstuffs for Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of amino acids, crude protein, gross energy, and dry matter of canola meal, corn gluten feed, fish offal meal, shrimp and fish offal meal, poultry by‐product meal, and hydrolyzed feather meal were determined for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Experimental diets contained 30% test ingredient, 69.5% casein‐based reference diet, and 0.5% chromic oxide. Groups of 20 fish (102.45 g) were fed the experimental diets twice a day at 3.5% body weight. Fecal samples were collected in triplicate daily at 0000 h and 0600 h after settlement into collection devices. Shrimp and fish offal meal and corn gluten feed presented significantly lower (P < 0.05) ADC for dry matter (59.5 and 39.3%) suggesting their low value as feedstuffs for catfish feeds. Although ADC values for crude protein were above 80% for all the test ingredients, amino acid digestibility varied significantly, except for histidine whose ADC remained constant regardless of the protein source. Lysine was the first limiting amino acid in most of the test ingredients, except in fish offal meal and poultry by‐product meal. Among the protein sources tested, only fish offal meal and poultry by‐product meal met channel catfish amino acid requirements for a 28% digestible protein grow‐out diet.     

Preliminary evaluation of pea seed meal in diets for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

Juvenile gilthead sea bream with a mean initial body weight of 5 g were fed for 12 weeks with experimental diets containing 10% and 20% fishmeal protein (sole protein source in the control diet) replaced by processed pea seed meals. The processed pea seed meals were dehulled, defibred, extruded and microground pea seed meal (PSM1) or whole pea treated by infrared radiation and ground (PSM2). Apparent digestibility coefficients of the experimental diets were determined in a separate trial. At the end of the growth trial there were no significant differences in growth performance, feed utilization or whole-body composition among experimental groups. There were no differences in apparent protein digestibility among experimental groups (except for fish fed PSM1 at the lowest inclusion level). Both dry matter and energy digestibility of the diets, including PSM2 and with the highest inclusion level of PSM1, were significantly lower than those of the control diet. The results of this study suggest that pea seed meal may replace up to 20% fishmeal protein in diets for gilthead sea bream juveniles without affecting fish performance. Further studies should focus on technological treatments to increase utilization of pea seed meal carbohydrate, as both apparent dry matter and energy digestibility were affected by dietary inclusion level and by pea seed meal processing method.     

Apparent digestibility of alternative plant‐protein feedstuffs for channel catfish,Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

A study was conducted with channel catfish, Ictalurus puntatus to determine apparent digestibility/availability coefficients of protein, amino acids, lipid and energy for alternative plant‐protein feedstuffs: corn gluten feed, corn germ meal, distillers dried grains with solubles, and canola meal, compared with those for soybean meal. A 32%‐protein, chemically defined diet containing 8% fish meal was used as the reference diet. Test diets consisted of 70:30 ratio of reference diet to test ingredient with chromic oxide (0.75% of the diet) as an inert indicator. Apparent digestibility/availability coefficients of protein, essential amino acids and energy in alternative protein feedstuffs tested were generally lower than those in soybean meal by channel catfish. Apparent digestibility coefficients of protein ranged from 75 to 87% and those of energy ranged from 52 to 59% for alternative feedstuffs. Lysine in alternative feedstuffs was 67–79%, methionine was 69–85% and cystine was 73–82% available to channel catfish. There were no significant differences in lipid ADCs among test feedstuffs (91.9–96.8%). Results from the present study can be useful in formulating cost‐effective catfish feeds using these alternative feedstuffs.     

Effect of Dietary Total Protein and Animal Protein on Growth and Feed Efficiency of Juvenile Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and Their Response to Edwardsiella ictaluri Challenge

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary total protein and animal protein source and concentration on growth and feed efficiency of juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctutus and their response to Edwardsiellu ictuluri challenge. Eight diets evaluated were: three diets containing either 28, 32, or 36% crude protein with 6% menhaden fish meal and 6% meat and bonehlood meal and five diets containing 32% crude protein with either no animal protein, 68 or 12% menhaden fish meal, or 6% or 12% meat and bonehlood meal, respectively. Twenty channel catfish with an average weight of 6.6 g/fish were stocked into each of forty 110-L flow-through aquaria (five aquaridtreatment). Fish were fed to approximate satiation twice daily for 9 wk. Fish in each tank were then exposed to E. ictaluri . There were no differences in feed consumption, weight gain, feed efficiency, and survival before and after challenge among fish fed diets containing 28, 32, or 36% protein with 6% menhaden fish meal and 6% meat and bone/ blood meal. Fish fed a 32% all-plant protein diet had weight gain and feed efficiency similar to fish fed diets containing 12% menhaden fish meal, but had a higher weight gain than fish fed a 32% protein diet containing 6% meat and bonehlood meal. No significant differences were observed in survival after E. ictuluri challenge among fish fed diets containing the various levels of animal proteins. Results indicate that dietary protein levels varying from 28% to 36% do not appear to affect growth, feed efficiency. and E. icraluri resistance or susceptibility in fingerling channel cattish fed to satiation and raised from approximately 7 to 56 g under laboratory conditions. Data also demonstrate that a 32% all-plant protein diet can be fed to small fingerling channel catfish without adversely affecting growth, feed efficiency, or resistance to E. ictuluri .     

Comparative evaluation of heat-processed Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) meals as partial replacement for fish meal in diets for the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Mature winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) (cultivar Tpt26) seeds were roasted or autoclaved and their meals evaluated as a dietary protein source for the African catfish. Five dry practical diets (400 g protein/kg and 17.5 kJ gross energy/g dry diet) containing menhaden fish meal or each of the heat-processed winged bean meals as partial replacement (80%), (with or without 5 g -methionine/kg diet supplementation) for menhaden fish meal, were prepared and fed to triplicate groups of catfish fingerlings (5.8±1.2 g) to satiation for 70 days. No mortality occurred throughout the study and satisfactory diet acceptance was observed when the heat-processed winged bean meals replaced menhaden fish meal. Differences were found in weight gain, specific growth rate, feed and protein efficiency ratios, but were not significant (P>0.05). Digestibility of crude protein and gross energy content of the diets were high (>85%) and comparable to that of menhaden fish meal. Carcass composition of catfish did not vary significantly (P>0.05) between diet treatments. Results indicate that both autoclaved and roasted winged bean meals were acceptable as protein sources and can replace 80% of menhaden fish meal in catfish diets.     

Effect of supplemental taurine on juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus growth performance

Juvenile channel catfish (5.6 g/fish) were fed a basal diet that contained major protein (soybean meal, cottonseed meal) and energy (ground corn grain, wheat middlings) ingredients that were derived from plant sources. The basal diet was supplemented with three levels of crystalline taurine to provide 1, 2 and 5 g/kg taurine. In addition, a fifth diet that contained 80 g/kg menhaden fishmeal formulated with the same plant‐source ingredients was included as the positive control diet. Fish were fed the five diets once daily for 12 weeks. Weight gain was highest in catfish fed taurine at 2 g/kg (47.8 g/fish) compared to catfish fed the control basal diet (40.8 g/fish) and 80 g/kg fishmeal diet (41.1 g/fish) (p < .05). Among the taurine‐supplemented diets, weight gain was lowest in catfish fed taurine at 5 g/kg. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in fish fed diets supplemented with taurine at 2 g/kg compared to all other treatments (p < .01). Survival during the growth study ranged from 98.0 to 99.0% (p > .05) for all treatments. The results suggest taurine supplementation to juvenile channel catfish may improve weight gain and FCR.     

发酵豆粕对圆斑星鲽生长及表观消化率的影响

为探讨圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegatus)饲料中发酵豆粕的适宜添加量,本试验以0%、10%、20%、30%、40%的发酵豆粕添加在五组等蛋等脂的饲料中,分别替代鱼粉蛋白的0%,9.81%,19.63%,29.44%,39.26%,标记为A、B、C、D、E共5个试验组,每组设3个重复,每池15尾圆斑星鲽(49.0±1.0 g),经过10周的饲养试验,结果表明:随饲料中发酵豆粕水平的升高,特定生长率逐渐降低,A、B组显著高于其他各组(P<0.05),饲料系数则逐渐升高,A、B和C组显著低于D、E组(P<0.05)。营养物质表观消化率以B组最高,显著高于其他各组。综上所述,饲料中添加10%的发酵豆粕在一定程度上能提高鱼体对营养物质的表观消化率,且不会对鱼体生长造成不利影响,过量则抑制鱼体生长。     

Evaluation of Protein Quality in Microbound Starter Diets Made with Decapsulated Cysts of Artemia and Fishmeal for Fish Larvae

Abstract.— The protein quality of carboxymethylcellulose microbound diets (MBDs) made with decapsulated cysts of Artemia andlor fishmeal as protein sources was used as an indicator of their suitability as starter feed for fish larvae. Studies on the proximate, fatty acid and amino acid composition. in vitro protein digestibility. diet solubility, and protein structure were combined with an in vivo feeding experiment with African catfish Clarias gariepinus larvae to evaluate the protein quality of the MBDs and a commercial diet. The growth of catfish larvae was higher when fed Artemia -based MBDs than with fishmeal-based MBDs, despite the higher protein and amino acid content of the latter. The in vitro protein digestibility was high for all the MBDs in comparison to a commercial diet. Differences were found in the protein molecular weight among the diets. Most of the proteins in the fishmeal-based diets had low molecular weight in the range between 7.4 and 49.2 kDa. The Artemia-based MBDs had larger protein fractions between 29.4 and 82 kDa. Decapsulated cysts improved the utilization of the MBDs when used in combination with fishmeal. Besides the effect of chemical attractants, the explanation for the positive effect of Artemia has yet to be elucidated. However, attention should be given to interactions between nutrients (e.g., protein-lipid) in live food, which might have an effect on the functional properties of food proteins.     

Partial and total replacement of fishmeal by a blend of animal and plant proteins in diets for Seriola dumerili: Effects on performance and nutrient efficiency

A 154‐day trial was performed to assess the use of an alternative protein blend (corn gluten, krill and meat meal) as a substitute for fishmeal in diets for juvenile yellowtail, using four isolipidic (140 g/kg) and isoenergetic diets (24 MJ/kg) with the same digestible protein content (50%). The control diet was FM100, without replacement, and in FM66, FM33 and FM0, fishmeal was replaced at 33 g/kg, 66 g/kg and 100 g/kg, respectively. At the end of the experiment, no differences in growth parameters were observed. Fish fed the FM0 diet exhibited the lowest survival (23%). This high mortality may be due to different factors, such as a dietary amino acid imbalance or some antinutrient factors contained in the alternative ingredients. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, digestible protein intake and protein efficiency ratio were similar in all diets. However, digestible energy intake and protein efficiency retention were lowest in fish fed the FM0 diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients for protein, energy and amino acids diminished as a substitution for fishmeal increased. Significant differences were observed in the diet whole‐fish body profile amino acid retention (AAR) ratio for the seven essential amino acids. In summary, total fishmeal replacement by the blend assayed was not feasible for yellowtail. The FM66 diet resulted in good growth, high survival and good nutrient efficiency.     

Formulation and processing of hatchery diets for channel catfish

Production type diets were developed to support tank reared channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, until they were large enough to accept conventional pelleted feeds. Alternative ingredients to fishmeal were evaluated through a series of feeding trials using diets formulated by computer. Several animal and vegetable protein concentrates partially replaced fishmeal without significant reductions in growth or changes in carcass composition. Ingredients which supported especially good growth of fish included fish, poultry by-product, soybean and cottonseed meals; brewers yeast; wheat grain and beef tallow. Ingredients previously thought to be essential or included in the past for their “unidentified growth factors” were apparently not necessary when balanced diets were manufactured under proper quality control. No diet was found superior to that composed of fishmeal, wheat, tallow and a micronutrient premix preserved with antioxidants and propionic acid.     

Effect of Replacing Menhaden Oil with Catfish Oil on the Fatty Acid Composition of Juvenile Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

The effect of using a finishing diet containing menhaden fish oil on the fatty acid composition of fingerling channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, was evaluated in a 12‐wk growth trial. Three isocaloric, isonitrogenous practical diets with three different sources of lipids (menhaden oil [MO], catfish oil [CO], or beef tallow [BT]) were formulated (35% crude protein). No differences in eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, or arachidonic acid were observed to occur in catfish fed MO or CO diets; however, these fatty acids were significantly lower in fish fed BT diet. No differences were observed for unsaturated fatty acid content in channel catfish fed a diet containing MO for 8 or 12 wk. In addition, no differences in production characteristics were observed to occur when catfish were fed diets containing CO, MO, or BT as the dietary lipid source, which indicates that BT, CO, and MO are equally effective as sources of energy. It is apparent from these results that CO may be successfully substituted for MO in formulated diets without adversely affecting n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content in channel catfish.     

Evaluation of shrimp or tilapia protein hydrolysate at graded dosages in low fish meal diet for olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

A study was carried out to examine and optimize the inclusion levels of shrimp hydrolysate (SH) or tilapia hydrolysate (TH) in low fishmeal diets for olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). A fishmeal (FM)‐based diet was considered as a high FM (HFM) diet, and a diet containing soy protein concentrate (SPC) as a FM replacer at 50% substitution level was regarded as a low FM (LFM) diet. Six other experimental diets were prepared by dietary supplementation of SH or TH to LFM diet at different inclusion levels of 15 g/kg, 30 or 45 g/kg in the expense of FM (designated as SH‐1.5, SH‐3.0, SH‐4.5, TH‐1.5, TH‐3.0 and TH‐4.5, respectively). After 10 weeks of a feeding trial, growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of fish were significantly higher in fish fed HFM, SH‐3.0, SH‐4.5, TH‐1.5 and TH‐3.0 diets compared to those of fish fed LFM diet. Intestine diameter, villus height and goblet cell counts of fish were significantly increased by dietary inclusion of SH or TH into LFM diet. Dry matter and protein digestibility of diets were significantly improved by SH or TH incorporation. Innate immunity of fish was significantly enhanced by dietary SH or TH supplementation into LFM diet. Disease resistance of fish was significantly increased against Edwardsiella tarda by dietary inclusion of SH and TH at the highest inclusion level (45 g/kg). The optimum inclusion level of SH or TH in a SPC‐based LFM diet could be ~30 g/kg and 15–30 g/kg, for olive flounder.     

Spray-Dried Blood Cells as a Partial Replacement for Fishmeal in Diets for Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Abstract.— The objective of this study was to evaluate growth of juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (81.4 mm initial length and 6.4 g initial weight) fed a diet containing 47.5% herring meal (FM diet) and a test diet containing 34.5% herring meal and 8.75% spray-dried animal blood cells (SBC diet). Both diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (48.5 and 48.0% protein) and isocaloric (3,977 and 3,927 kcal DElkg). At the end of the 12-wk feeding trial, differences in growth rate and feed conversion ratios were not statistically significant between the two dietary treatments. Apparent crude protein digestibility was 89.7% for the SBC diet and 88.1% for the FM diet. Apparent net protein utilization and iron retention values were not different, but phosphorus retention was higher for fish fed the SBC diet. Whole body iron content of the fish decreased in both groups from 23.3 mg/ kg in an initial sample to 16.5 mg/kg in fish fed the FM diet and 18.4 mg/kg in fish fed the SBC diet at the end of 12 wk. The diet containing 8.75% SBC replaced 27.4% of the crude protein supplied by herring meal, and it had 22.7% less total phosphorus (P) than the fishmeal diet. The cost of gain for the FM diet was $0.508/kg gain compared to $0.512/kg gain for the SBC diet.     

Effects of Feeding Diets with and without Fish Meal on Production of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Stocked at Varying Densities

ABSTRACT

Animal protein, generally fish meal, has traditionally been used in the diet of channel catfish. However, our previous research indicates that animal protein is not needed for growing stocker-size catfish to food fish when the fish are stocked at densities typical of those used in commercial catfish culture. Whether this holds when fish are stocked at high densities is not known; thus, we conducted an experiment to evaluate the effect of feeding diets with and without fish meal to channel catfish stocked in earthen ponds at different densities. Two 32% protein-practical diets containing 0% or 6% menhaden fish meal were compared for pond-raised channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, stocked at densities of 14,820, 29,640, or 44,460 fish/ha. Fingerling channel catfish with average initial weight of 48 g/fish were stocked into 30 0.04-ha ponds. Five ponds were randomly allotted for each fish meal level?×?stocking density combination. Fish were fed once daily to satiation for two growing seasons. There was a significant interaction between stocking density and fish meal for net production; net production increased in fish fed a diet containing fish meal compared with those fed an all-plant diet at the highest stocking density, but not at the two lower stocking densities. Net production of fish fed diets with and without fish meal increased as stocking density increased. Viewing the main effect means, weight gain decreased and feed conversion ratio increased for fish stocked at the two highest densities, and survival was significantly lower at the highest stocking density. Visceral fat decreased in fish at the two highest stocking densities. Body composition data were largely unaffected by experimental treatment except for a reduction in percentage filet fat in fish at the highest stocking density, and fish that were fed diets containing fish meal had a lower percentage fillet protein and a higher percentage fillet fat. It appears that at stocking densities two to three times higher than generally used, animal protein (fish meal) may be beneficial in the diet of channel catfish. In regard to stocking densities, high stocking results in higher overall production, but the average fish size decreased as stocking density increased.     

Fish meal replaced by hydrolysed soybean meal in diets increases growth and improves the antioxidant defense system of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

One of the current challenges of global fish farming is developing plant‐based proteins as a feasible substitute for fishmeal in the formulation of aquafeeds. Substitution levels of fishmeal with hydrolyzed soybean meal (HSM) in diets for silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) were evaluated for growth, protein metabolism and antioxidant activity. The experiment was carried out in a recirculation system of 20 tanks of 250 L. A total of 300 silver catfish juveniles were used to compose five treatments and four replicates per treatment. Levels of soybean hydrolysate (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) were tested in diets (39% protein and 3,500 Kcal) for 60 days. Silver catfish growth was higher at all inclusion levels of HSM when compared to the control diet. No change was shown for body protein deposition. The production of nitrogenous compounds in the liver and muscle was also unaffected by any of the diets. The diet containing 20% HSM promoted an increase in the amounts of non‐protein thiols in the gills and brain. The HSM substitution levels of up to 20% of fishmeal in the diet increases growth and contributes to silver catfish antioxidant activity.     

An evaluation of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) testes meal in diets for pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): effect on palatability,digestibility and growth performance

This study compared the nutritional profiles of menhaden fishmeal and pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) testes meal and investigated the nutritional values of the testes meal based on its effect on palatability, digestibility and growth performance of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The testes meal replaced 0–91% of fishmeal protein in a control diet containing 150 g kg⁻¹ fishmeal. Replacement of 69% of the fishmeal protein in the control diet significantly increased feed intake of shrimp from 0.61% to 1.10%. The apparent digestibility coefficient of dietary protein increased significantly when 91% of the fishmeal protein was replaced by the testes meal. Replacement of dietary fishmeal protein with up to 46% testes meal protein did not cause adverse effects on growth rate or nutritional composition of tail muscle. However, growth rate was significantly decreased in shrimp fed diets in which 69% or 91% of fishmeal protein was replaced by the testes meal. Results of this study indicate that the testes meal can be used as a feed additive to enhance the palatability and protein digestibility of low fishmeal diets for shrimp. It can replace up to 46% of fishmeal protein without any adverse effect on the growth performance of shrimp.     

Comparison of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,and Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus,Fed Diets Containing Various Levels of Protein in Production Ponds

A comparative study was conducted on growth and protein requirements of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus. Four diets containing 24, 28, 32, or 36% protein were fed to both channel (initial weight 6.9 g/fish) and blue (6.6 g/fish) catfish for two growing seasons. There were significant interactions between dietary protein and fish species for weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). No significant differences were observed in weight gain of channel catfish fed various protein diets, whereas higher protein diets (32 and 36%) resulted in better weight gain in blue catfish than lower protein diets (24 and 28%). No consistent differences were observed in the FCR of channel catfish fed various levels of dietary protein, whereas significantly higher FCRs were noted in blue catfish fed the 24 and 28% protein diets compared with fish fed 32 and 36% protein diets. Regardless of dietary protein levels, blue catfish had higher carcass, nugget, and total meat yield, and higher fillet moisture and protein, but lower fillet yield and fillet fat. Regardless of fish species, fish fed the 36% protein diet had higher carcass, fillet, and total meat yield than fish fed the 28 and 32% protein diets, which in turn had higher yields than fish fed the 24% protein diet. It appears that blue catfish can be successfully cultured by feeding a 32% protein diet.