An investigation of culture possibilities of Asian catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Sauvage, 1878) under Çukurova conditions

This study was conducted in Çukurova University, Faculty of Fisheries, Dr. Nazmi TEKELİOĞLU freshwater aquaculture and research station. In this experiment, 480 juvenile Asian catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus with 3.20±0.30 g weight on average were split into 4 groups in triplicate and stocked in 12 tanks and 12 cages including 20 fish each. Growing parameters and all types of adaptation conditions depending on feeding frequency were investigated in two different aquaculture facilities both tank and cage. At the end of the study, Feed Conversion Rate (FCR) and Specific Growth Rate (SGR) were between 1.36-2.50 and 1.13-1.50, respectively in the tanks. FCR and SGR were between 1.01-1.15 and 2.98-3.23, respectively in the cages. Nutritional composition of the fish was affected by feeding frequency. It was determined that fish which was reared in cages and fed with four times feeding frequency had the highest lipid and protein contents. It is concluded that the best growth rate for Asian catfish was obtained from the fish which reared in cages and fed four times a day according to FCR and SGR values.