摘要：The giant river catfish ( S. seenghala ) is an imperative commercial species, contributing significantly to the total inland fish production in Pakistan. The aquaculture potential giant river catfish has not yet been explored. To ascertain the optimum dietary protein for the growth of giant river catfish fingerlings (9.0 g initial weight) a 6 week feeding trial with four dietary protein levels was conducted in 12 glass aquaria of about 42 L capacity. Diets containing 25, 30, 35 and 40% CP were prepared from locally available ingredients based requirements of catfish fingerlings. Growth performance of fingerlings of Giant River catfish increased significantly with increase in protein level from 25 to 40% in feed. The survival, final weight and of catfish fed the diet containing 40% protein were high and comparable to those of the other diets. Food conversion ratio decrease by increasing the protein levels in feed. Specific growth rate and feed efficiency of fish fed the 40% protein diet and 35% protein diet was higher than that of other diets. Protein efficiency ratio of fish decreased with increasing dietary protein level. Carcass crude protein was higher in fish fed with high protein diet, while value of lipid in carcass was lower in fish fed with diet having greater CP levels. Ash contents were significantly increased with increase of protein level. The results of this study indicate that an increase of dietary protein level can improve growth and protein utilization and the diet containing 35% protein would be suitable for optimum growth and effective protein utilization of giant river catfish fingerlings.
