Effect of Diel Rhythms of Feeding on Growth Performance of Walking Catfish, Clarias batrachus Fingerlings

Abstract

Clarias batrachus fingerlings were maintained under laboratory conditions and fed on a 40% soybean based protein diet on a circadian pattern selecting six different time intervals, viz., 0800h, 1200h, 1600h, 2000h, 2400h and 0400h. The results indicated that body weight gain (live weight gain and specific growth rate) in C. batrachus on a time restricted meal is optimal when the food is made available at mid- night viz., 2400h. Better accumulation of protein with less excretion of ammonia in fish body was also reported at this time of feeding. The study concluded that the growth rates of fish fed during night time (mid-night) had significantly low food conversion ratios and food wastage. Therefore, it is beneficial to feed C. batrachus at mid-night.