Suphada Kiriratnikom and Anut Kiriratnikom

pp. 37 - 43

Abstract

The effects of test diets, containing different dietary protein levels (32, 36, 40, and 44%), on growth, feed conversion
rate and survival of slender walking catfish (Clarias nieuhofii) fingerlings were studied. Fish with an average weight of
8.35-8.46 g were fed with isocaloric test diets containing 32, 36, 40 and 44% protein, for 12 weeks. The average body weight
of the fish fed 40% - 44% protein was significantly higher than that of the others within 4 weeks of feeding (P<0.05). At
termination of the experiment, average body weight and weight gain of the fish fed the diet containing 40% and 44% protein
were highest and were significantly different from those of the fish fed 32% to 36% protein (P<0.05). The lowest feed conversion rate (FCR) was observed in the fish fed 40% and 44% protein. Condition factors (CF) were lowest in the fish that
received 32% and 36% protein test diets, and hepatosomatic indices (HSI) were increased by the dietary protein levels but
were not significantly different in the fish fed protein in the range of 36% to 44%. Carcass composition analysis indicated a
positive correlation between dietary protein level and fish body protein content, but moisture, lipid level and ash content in
the fish body were not significantly different among treatments. In conclusion, the 40% protein diet gave the maximum
growth performance, lowest feed conversion ratio and high body protein content in slender walking catfish fingerling during
the 12 weeks of the feeding trial.