Catfish feed requires certain nutrients that will help the farmer optimize the growth as well as increase the profit on their catfish farming business. Below are the 4 classes of nutrients, in order of importance, essential in any feed formulation:
Protein: This class of nutrient is required for building body tissue and replacement of damaged tissue. It contains physiological molecules such as hormones and enzymes. It can be obtained from plants and animals. Energy (Carbohydrate): This nutrition provides the energy needed for catfishes. Grains of cereals and cassavas are the major source of this nutrient. Vitamins and minerals: Growth, health, and body process are controlled by this class of nutrition. For example, organic and inorganic chemicals are found in vitamin and minerals. Fat: Fat contains vital fatty acids and also enhances energy delivery in feed.
There is a need to understand nutritional contents of available feed ingredients so as to understand and select appropriately ingredients that will meet the nutritional needs of your catfish. Each class of nutrition is analyzed separately below:
Nutritional Level of Animal Proteins
Animal Protein
Energy Level (mj/kg)
Crude Protein (%)
Fats (%)
Calcium/Phosphorus (%)
Methionine (%)
Lysine (%)
Meat meal
11.2
50 – 51
10
8
0.7
2.6
Blood meal
15.2
88 – 90
1
0.4
0.6
7.1
Feather meal
13.7
80 – 85
7
0.4
0.6
2.3
Poultry meal
13.1
60 – 64
13
2.0
1
3.1
Fish meal
5
55 – 75
3
1.0
1.5
2
Nutritional Level of Plant Proteins
Plant Protein
Protein (%)
Energy (cal/kg)
Calcium (%)
Lysine (%)
Methionine (%)
Soybeans meal
44 – 48
2557
0.20
3.2
1.4
Cottonseed meal
40 – 41
2350
0.66
4.2
1.4
Sunflower Meal
46 – 47
2205
0.30
3.5
2.3
GNC
45.6 – 61.8
3860
1.7
3.2
1.0
Nutritional Level of Energy Base Ingredients
Ingredients
Protein (%)
Energy (cal/kg)
Calcium (%)
Lysine (%)
Wheat
13
3153
0.05
0.5
Sorghum
9.0
3263
0.02
0.3
Maize
8 – 11
3200
0.5
0.27
Cassava
2.5
1601
1.6
0.07
From the nutritional table of certain feed ingredients, a sample of simple catfish feed formula can be generated thus:
Sample 1:
Ingredients
Quantity (kg)
Maize/Wheat/Cassava Flour (any of the three)
25kg
Soya/Sunflower/Cotton seed (Soya preferred)
30kg
GNC/Benseed (either of the two)
20kg
Fish (72%)
25kg
Fish Premix
0.5
Lysine
0.1
Methionine
0.1
Vitamin C
0.1
Salt
0.2
DCP
1
TOTAL
102kg
Sample 2:
Ingredients
Quantity (kg)
Maize
20
Poultry meal
15
Fish meal (72%)
10
Blood meal
5
Soya
30
GNC
20
Fish premix
0.5
Lysine
0.1
Methionine
0.1
Vitamin C
0.1
Salt
0.2
DCP
1
TOTAL
102kg
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