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Use of artificial diets in feeding Asian catfish by Rita T. dela Cruz

April-June 2000 Volume 2 No. 2

The Asian catfish (Clarias macrocephalus) or "hito" in the vernacular, is an indigenous fish popular in the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. Its delicate taste and the fine texture of its flesh make this native catfish highly sought-after.

Unfortunately, it is fast becoming scarce in many of its natural habitats. The problem of declining populations of this type of fish has prompted the conduct of studies on inducing the proliferation of the species even in captivity. One such study focused on the nutrition of the catfish broodstock, on which there is inadequate information. Catfish are considered omnivores. Traditional feeds used for the growth of broodstock include fish-by-catch and pure trash fish or combined with artificial feeds. Other alternatives are live foods such as worms to supplement a dry diet, and fish species such as bream, trout, carp, and tilapia which are shown to influence reproductive performance. However, the supply of small fish is not universally abundant in all countries, especially in the Philippines where they are also sold for human consumption.

Drs. C.B. Santiago and A.C. Gonzal conducted a study to develop a nutritionally adequate and readily acceptable diet for catfish and determine the effect on its growth and reproductive performance. They ascertained which of four natural diets is the best in enhancing the reproductive performance of the catfish. This study was conducted in the Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Binangonan Freshwater Station, Binangonan, Rizal, with grants from BAR- Fisheries Sector Program.

Results of the study revealed that, among the formulated diets, artificial diets with higher fish meal and copra meal content and lower meat and bone meal content display great potential. According to proponents of the study, the levels of meat and bone meal were below the maximum dietary inclusion levels suggested for both carnivorous and omnivorous fishes. The dietary fish meal level, on the other hand, was sufficient for the catfish - provided that other ingredients are present to balance the nutrient requirements of the fish.

This development brings to fore the fact that nutritionally adequate artificial diets alone would suffice the production and maintenance of catfish broodstock. Growers may therefore forgo the use of fish-by catch or trash fish and other live feeds in the daily ration.

(This article is based on "Growth and Reproductive Performance of the Asian Catfish Clarias macrocephalus (Gunther) Fed Artificial Diets" by Drs. C. B. Santiago and A.C. Gonzal ; published in J. Appl. Ichthyol. Volume 13 (1997): 37-40).

More Articles:

Vol. 2 No. 2 April-June 2000

»» 1st national fisherfolk day celebration
»» MSI receives P14-M grant for high-impact projects
»» Fishery R&D projects in batanes get support from BAR, BFAR
»» The making of a national team leader
»» Dr. Jesse Ronquillo: a profile of a multi-awarded scientist
»» Sea urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) research project
»» National/regional integrated fisheries RD&E agenda and program
»» Use of artificial diets in feeding Asian catfish
»» Technology support for mudcrab industry development

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