Influence of Feed Frequency on Survival and Growth of African Catfish Juveniles

This study determined the optimal feeding frequency for maximising survival rate and growth performance of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles under controlled laboratory conditions at a research institution in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria. Feeding frequency is a critical management variable influencing feed utilisation efficiency, growth uniformity, and water quality in intensive aquaculture systems. Juvenile catfish with a mean initial weight of 5.7 grams were distributed into 20 tanks and subjected to five feeding frequency treatments: once, twice, three times, four times, and five times daily. All tanks received the same daily ration, calculated at 5 percent body weight per day, divided equally across feeding events. Growth performance parameters were measured at two-week intervals over an eight-week period. Results showed that fish fed three and four times daily achieved significantly superior weight gain and specific growth rates compared to fish fed once or twice daily. The feed conversion ratio was lowest in the three times daily treatment at 1.61, indicating the most efficient nutrient utilisation. Survival was uniformly high across treatments, averaging 94 percent, suggesting that feeding frequency did not independently affect mortality at the tested ration level. Water quality deteriorated most rapidly in tanks fed five times daily due to excessive feed residue accumulation. The study concludes that a feeding frequency of three times daily represents the optimum for juvenile catfish under the tested conditions and recommends this protocol for adoption by smallholder catfish producers across northern Nigeria. Keywords: feeding frequency, Clarias gariepinus, juvenile growth, feed utilisation, aquaculture management