Comparison of various animal protein sources for growth, feed efficiency, and body composition of juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus

A laboratory study was conducted to compare different animal protein sources in diets containing 32% protein for channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. The experimental diets were practical-type diets and formulated to meet or exceed all known nutrient requirements for channel catfish. Twenty juvenile channel catfish (initial weight: 6.4 g/fish) were stocked into each of 25 110-L flow-through aquaria (five aquaria/treatment). Fish were fed twice daily to approximate satiation for 9 wk. Fish in each aquarium were counted and weighed collectively every 3 wk. No significant differences were observed in feed consumption, weight gain, feed efficiency, survival, percentages visceral fat and fillet yield, or proximate composition of fillets among channel catfish fed diets containing either 5% menhaden fish meal, meat and bone/blood meal, catfish by-product meal, poultry by-product meal, or hydrolyzed feather meal with supplemental lysine. The data indicate that these animal protein sources can be used interchangeably in diets for channel catfish without affecting fish growth, feed efficiency, or body composition.