Feed represents the largest variable cost in catfish products. While the need for further provident feeds is clear, it’s imperative that catfish feeds are formulated to be cost-effective, not just less expensive. This can be achieved by precisely opting for and indispensable feedstuffs that are suitable for use in catfish feeds. It’s important that using less expensive indispensable feedstuffs does not degrade the nutritive and physical quality of the feed, fish growth, reused yield, and product quality. In this post, we examine different feed constituents that are or could be used in catfish feeds, as well as feed formulation guidelines and other types of feeds.
Main constituents in Catfish Feed
Catfish feed, commercially, refers to mixing feed constituents, vitamins and minerals, and fat together so as to give obligate nutrition for the healthy and fast growth of catfish. For each good fish feed formula, feed constituents should substantially include a certain quantum of protein and the energy always being in carbohydrates. The former can be divided into animal protein and plant protein, independently used for the feed of fingerling catfish and the feed of 6- 7% elevation catfish.
While the ultimate generally used as catfish feed constituents contain wheat, wheat bran, corn, straw, rice bran, fish oil and so on. By the way, the volume of each part component of catfish feed should consider the ensuing nutritive requirements, feedstuff cost, effectiveness and of each component and processing features.
There are many types of catfish feeds. The type being used at any particular time is a function of the life stage and size of the fish being fed, whether the fish are fed during the growing season or downtime, and if an antibiotic is incorporated.
The raw materials in catfish feed pellet
There are main ingredients for producing fish food. For some ingredients not available in the original, you can use the close product of good nutritive value.
♦ Rice bran
The bran subcaste and origin of the rice. It’s high in fat, which limits its use in catfish feeds.
♦ Fish meal
Consider be the best ingredients, due to their compatibility using the protein demand of fish. It’s produced by cooking fish, rolling and pressing to remove water and oil, and then drying.
♦ Soybean meal
It’s a major protein source for marketable catfish feeds, which contains 48% protein. It’s high in essential amino acids and it’s both digestible and palatable.
♦ Cottonseed meal
It generally contains 41% protein but mustn’t contain lower than 36% protein. It’s largely palatable to catfish but is deficient in lysine. Cottonseed meal can replace about half the soybean mess in catfish feeds.
♦ Corn meal
It can be used as the major energy source in feed, forming up to 30 of the total diet. During the extrusion, process maize can be cooked, which contributes to the enhancement of digestibility.
♦ Groundnut
Containing 40% crude protein. Due to the fat content, use no further than 25% in total together with full-fat soybean mess.
Other Constituents can also be added for making fish feed, similar as wheat, vitamins, and growth boosters.
Catfish Feed Formula
Small fish recipe: Protein content: 34-36%
Ingredients: Corn meal: 30%, Fish meal: 20%, Rice bran: 5%, Soybean meal: 30%, Bone meal: 2%, Wheat bran meal: 13%
Medium Fish Recipe: Protein Content: 30%
Ingredients: Corn Meal: 30%, Fish Meal: 15%, Rice Bran: 10%, Soybean Meal: 25%, Bone Meal: 2%, Wheat bran meal: 18%
Big Fish Formula: Protein Content: 28%
Ingredients: Corn meal: 35%, Fish meal: 15%, Rice bran: 10%, Soybean meal: 20%, Bone meal: 2%, Wheat bran meal: 18%
