Silver catfish Rhamdia quelen is an important species commonly found in many Brazilian rivers and other regions of South America. Studies carried out in the last years with this species have pointed its great potential for aquaculture in Brazil, mainly in the Southern States. Feeding frequency is a very important issue for fish producers due to its direct relation to production costs. The present study tested four different feeding frequencies (1, 2, 3, and 4 times a day). Forty jundiá fingerlings (1.88g) were stocked in each of the twelve 4m² tanks (concrete wall and earth bottom) and raised for 65 days. Water temperature ranged from 23 to 27ºC during the experimental period and fish from all treatments showed the same growth pattern. Body weight and length, feed conversion rate, and specific growth rate were not significantly different among the treatments. Silver catfish fed only once a day grew similarly to those fed two to four times a day. These findings could optimize farm labor and increase profit in silver catfish production.
Rhamdia quelen; catfish; feeding regime
