Effects of Feeding Time and Frequency on Growth of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus in Closed Recirculating Raceway Systems

Abstract.– Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding time and frequency on the growth, survival, feed conversion, and body composition of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus cultured in closed recirculating raceway systems. In separate experiments, two stocking sizes (18 and 232 g/fish) of channel catfish were examined. Treatments consisted of 1) feeding catfish once daily, 3% of body weight at 0800 h; 2) feeding catfish once daily, 3% of body weight at 1200 h; 3) feeding catfish once daily, 3% of body weight at 1700 h; and 4) feeding catfish three times daily, 1% of body weight at 0800 h, 1200 h, and 1700 h. Weight gain, specific growth, feed conversion, percentage survival, and fillet proximate composition of channel catfish among treatments did not differ ( P > 0.05). The percentage visceral fat of channel catfish fed the single meal at 0800 h was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than channel catfish receiving multiple feedings, but was not different than the visceral fat content of channel catfish fed at 1200 h and 1700 h. Under the conditions of this study, results indicate neither feeding time or feeding frequency significantly influences the growth, survival, and body composition of channel catfish raised in closed recirculating raceway systems.