The Effects of Frequency of Feeding on Culture of Catfish

In three studies on the effects of frequency of feeding on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), optimal growth and food efficiency were obtained from groups fed to satiation two times per day. Gains in weight were substantially reduced in groups fed only one time per day and were not enhanced by feeding four times per day. The fact that food efficiencies were similar in fish fed one, two, and four times per day indicated that food intake and not utilization was the growth limiting factor. In a study with automatic feeders, fish fed 24 times per day had significantly poorer gains and food efficiencies than those fed four or eight times per day.