Effectof Feeding Ratesand Frequencieson Growth Performance, Feed Efficiencyand Body Compositionof African Catfish, Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

African catfish Clarias gariepinus (average initial weight 3.46 ± 0.08g) were fed a diet containing 3 2% crude protein (284.61 kcal DE/100g ) and raised in 18 aquariums (75 liter each) at stoking density of 25 fish per aquarium with three replications per treatment for 90 days using a 3◊2 factorial experimentaldesign. The two factors evaluated were: dail rates ( 2%, 3% and 4% body weight /day ) and feeding frequencies once per day at 9:00 or Twice per day divided into two equal parts at 9:00 &13:00 hr.The present results indicated that fish at the feeding rate of 4% BW/day, twice per day showed significantly (P < 0.05) increase in body weight gain, survival rate, hepato somatic index and carcass composition . Fish fed at a rate of 2% BW/day once and twice per day were significantly decreased most response variable, but feed intake, feed conver sion ratio and PER were improved when compared with another treatments. Regardless of feeding frequencies increasing daily feeding rate from 2 to 4% BW/day significantly (P < 0.05) improved body weight gain, survival rate, HSI and carcass composition ; however, there were no significant differences in specific growth rate, feed conversion, PER and carcass composition of crude protein between fish fed 3 and 4% BW/day. Also, fish fed twice per day had significantly better body weight gain, SGR, survival rate, feed conversion, ratio PER and carcass composition . The present study concluded that optimum feeding rates and feeding frequencies for African catfish (an initial weight of 3.64 ± 0.08 g) were 4% BW/day offered twice daily.