INNOVATION IN FEEDS AND FEEDING PRACTICES

DR. M.A. HASSANPrincipal Scientist & Actg. HOD

CENTRAL INLAND FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)Barrackpore, Kolkata 700120

Innovation =The act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new

FISH FOR ALLNutrition (Protein, PUFA)Livelihood; Exports; EquityMarine fisheries, mariculture, coastal aquaculture,

inland fisheries, coldwater fisheries, freshwater aquaculture

Capture fisheries to AquacultureFishers and Farmers (14 million)

1950 2011-12 Times

Fish, kg/ha(Aquaculture)

400 2700 6.8

INDIAN FISH FACTS

Global position: 2nd in Fisheries & 2nd in Aquaculture (5.54% of global production) Per capita fish availability: (8.54 kg based on 56% of population as fish-

eating and 4.78 kg for 100%) Output from fisheries: ` 67,913 crore (4.9%

of agriculture and allied sectors) Annual Export Earnings: 8.13 lakh tonnes; ` 12,901 crore; (US $ 2.9

billion)

Fish Germplasm Resources of India

Ecosystem Species

Cold water 85

Warm water 650

Brackish water 150

Marine 1495

TOTAL 2380

SCOPE OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN MEGHALAYA

Fisheries : River, reservoir, wetlands Aquaculture : Ponds Ornamental fish: Sport fishery

Preamble

Good nutrition in fish production systems is essential to economically produce a healthy, high quality product.

In fish farming, nutrition is critical because feed represents 40-50% of the production costs.

Fish nutrition has advanced dramatically in recent years with the development of new, balanced commercial diets that promote optimal fish growth and health.

The development of new species-specific diet formulations supports the aquaculture industry as it expands to satisfy increasing demand for affordable, safe, and high-quality fish

EXISTING FEEDING PRACTICES No feed or fertilizer input : depend on natural productivity This feeding strategy is generally employed in extensive farming systems

with low fish/shrimp stocking densities

Fertilization Organic fertilizers, green manures (fresh plant cuttings), fresh or

composted agricultural by-products. This feeding strategy is typical of extensive and semi-intensive farming systems.

Supplementary diet feeding The natural productivity alone cannot sustain adequate fish or shrimp Supplementary feeds usually consist of low-cost agricultural/animal by-

products, as single food item or the use of a combination of different feed items in the form of a feed mash or pellet

This feeding strategy is typical of a semi-intensive farming system. Complete diet feeding Nutritionally ‘complete’ high quality diet containing a

predetermined nutrient profile. This feeding strategy is typical of an intensive culture system.

EXISTING FEEDING PRACTICES

Moist Feed : Moist feeds were from a single ingredient, such as, trash

fish for carnivores, crop and vegetable wastes for herbivores.

Feeds with a high moisture content are generally more rapidly accepted by fish, they have low water stability

Pelleted Feed Compact pellets - sink rapidly in water. Extrusion pellet - float in water

Feeding MethodA. Broadcasting B. Bag feeding C. Tray feeding D. Frame feeding

E. Automatic feeder

PREPARED (ARTIFICIAL) DIETS

Prepared or artificial diets may be either complete or supplemental. Complete diets supply all the ingredients (protein, carbohydrates,

fats, vitamins, and minerals) necessary for the optimal growth and health of the fish.

Complete diets, contains all the required protein (18-50%), lipid (10-25%), carbohydrate (15-20%), ash (< 8.5%), phosphorus (< 1.5%), water (<10%), and trace amounts of vitamins, and minerals.

When fish are reared in high density cannot forage freely on natural feeds, they must be provided a complete diet.

In contrast, supplemental (incomplete, partial) diets are intended only to help support the natural food (insects, algae, small fish) normally available to fish in ponds.

Supplemental diets do not contain a full complement of vitamins or minerals, but are used to help fortify the naturally available diet with extra protein, carbohydrate and/or lipid.

Fish, when reared in high densities, require a high-quality, nutritionally complete, balanced diet to grow rapidly and remain healthy.

PROTEIN Protein is the most expensive part of fish feed, it is important to

accurately determine the protein requirements for each species and size of cultured fish.

Proteins are formed by linkages of individual amino acids. Although over 200 amino acids occur in nature, only about 20 amino acids are common. Of these, 10 are essential (indispensable) amino acids that cannot be synthesized by fish.

The10 essential amino acids that must be supplied by the diet are: methionine, arginine, threonine, tryptophan, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, leucine, valine and phenylalanine.

Of these, lysine and methionine are often the first limiting amino acids. Fish feeds prepared with plant (soybean meal) protein typically are low in methionine; therefore, extra methionine must be added to soybean-meal based diets in order to promote optimal growth and health.

It is important to know and match the protein requirements and the amino acid requirements of each fish species reared

Protein requirements generally are higher for smaller fish.As fish grow larger, their protein requirements usually decrease

Protein is used for fish growth if adequate levels of fats and carbohydrates are present in the diet.

DIEATARY PROTEIN REQUIRMENTS OF SOME FINFISH SPECIES FOR THEIR OPTIMUM GROWTH

Species Protein source Protein requirement (% dry weight of food)

Cyprinus carpio (spawn, fry and fingerlings)

Casein 45

Labeo rohita fry Casein 45

Catla catla fry Casein Gelatin 47

Catla catla fingerlings Casein Gelatin 40

Ctenopharyngodon idella fry

Casein 42

ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID REQUIREMENTS ( % DIETARY PROTEIN) OF SOME FISH SPECIES

Amino acid Rohu Catla Mrigal

Arginine 5.75 4.80 5.25

Histidine 2.25 2.45 2.13

Isoleucine 3.00 2.35 2.75

Leucine 4.63 3.70 4.25

Lysine 5.58 6.23 5.88

Methionine 2.88 3.55 3.18

Phenylalanine 4.00 3.70 4.00

Threonine 4.28 4.95 4.13

Tryptophan 1.13 0.95 1.08

Valine 3.75 3.55 3.50

LIPIDS Lipids are high-energy nutrients that can be utilized to partially

spare protein in aquaculture feeds. Lipids supply about twice the energy as proteins andcarbohydrates. Lipids typically comprise about 6-15% of fish diets, supply essential

fatty acids (EFA) and serve as transporters for fat-soluble vitamins. A recent trend in fish feeds is to use higher levels of lipids in the diet Fish typically require fatty acids of the omega 3 and 6 (n-3 and n-6)

families. Freshwater fish do not require the long chain HUFA, but often require

an 18 carbon n-3 fatty acid, linolenic acid (18:3-n-3), in quantities ranging from 0.5 to1.5% of dry diet.

This fatty acid cannot be produced by freshwater fish and must be supplied in the diet. Many freshwater fish can take this fatty acid, and through enzyme systems elongate (add carbon atoms) to the hydrocarbon chain, and then further desaturate (add double bonds) to this longer hydrocarbon chain.

Through these enzyme systems, freshwater fish can manufacture the longer chain n-3 HUFA, EPA and DHA, which are necessary for other metabolic functions and as cellular membrane components.

CARBOHYDRATES (STARCHES AND SUGARS

Carbohydrates are major energy source for mammals, but are not used efficiently by fish. For example, mammals can extract about 4 kcal of energy from 1 gram of carbohydrate, whereas fish can only extract about 1.6 kcal from the same amount of carbohydrate. Up to about 20% of dietary carbohydrates can be used by fish.

These are the most economical and inexpensive sources of energy for fish diets.

Although not essential, carbohydrates are included in aquaculture diets to reduce feed costs and for their binding activity during feed manufacturing.

Dietary starches are useful in the extrusion manufacture of floating feeds.

Cooking starch during the extrusion process makes it more biologically available to fish.

In fish, carbohydrates are stored as glycogen that can be mobilized to satisfy energy demands.

VITAMINS Vitamins are organic compounds necessary in the

diet for normal fish growth and health. They often are not synthesized by fish, and must be supplied in the diet.

The two groups of vitamins are water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins include: the B vitamins, choline, inositol, folic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Of these, vitamin C probably is the most important because it is a powerful antioxidant and helps the immune system in fish.

Deficiency of each vitamin has certain specific symptoms, but reduced growth is the most common symptom of any vitamin deficiency.

Scoliosis (bent backbone symptom) and dark coloration may result from deficiencies of ascorbic acid and folic acid vitamins, respectively.

MINERALS

Minerals are inorganic elements necessary in the diet for normal body functions.

They can be divided into two groups (macro-minerals and micro-minerals) based on the quantity required in the diet and the amount present in fish.

Common macro-minerals are sodium, chloride, potassium and phosphorous. These minerals regulate osmotic balance and aid in bone formation and integrity.

Micro-minerals (trace minerals) are required in small amounts as components in enzyme and hormone systems.

Common trace minerals are copper, chromium, iodine, zinc and selenium. Fish can absorb many minerals directly from the water through their gills and skin, allowing them to compensate to some extent for mineral deficiencies in their diet.

ENERGY AND PROTEIN To create an optimum diet, the ratio of

protein to energy must be determined separately for each fish species.

Excess energy relative to protein content in the diet may result in high lipid deposition. Because fish feed to meet their energy requirements, diets with excessive energy levels may result in decreased feed intake and reduced weight gain. Similarly, a diet with inadequate energy content can result in reduced weight gain because the fish cannot eat enough feed to satisfy their energy requirements for growth.

Properly formulated feeds must have a well balanced energy to protein ratio.

DIETARY PROTEIN : ENERGY (P: E) RATIO FOR OPTIMUM GROWTH OF

FISH

Species P:E RATIO (mg/ kcal)

Catla fingerlings 97.3 (40% dietary protein)

Rohu fry 113 (40% dietary protein)

Rohu fingerlings 95 (38% dietary protein)

Comon Carp 108

FEED TYPES Commercial fish diets are manufactured as either extruded(floating

or buoyant) or pressure-pelleted (sinking) feeds. Both floating or sinking feed can produce satisfactory growth, but

some fish species prefer floating, others sinking. Shrimp, for example, will not accept a floating feed, but most fish

species can be trained to accept a floating pellet. Extruded feeds are more expensive due to the higher

manufacturing costs. Usually, it is advantageous to feed a floating (extruded) feed, because the farmer can directly observe the feeding intensity of his fish and adjust feeding rates accordingly.

Determining whether feeding rates are too low or too high is important in maximizing fish growth and feed use efficiency.

Feed is available in a variety of sizes ranging from fine crumbles for small fish to large (1/2 inch or larger) pellets.

The pellet size should be approximately 20-30% of the size of the fish species mouth gape.

Feeding too small a pellet results in inefficient feeding because more energy is used in finding and eating more pellets.

Conversely, pellets that are too large will depress feeding and, in the extreme, cause choking. Select the largest sized feed the fish will actively eat.

FEEDING RATE, FREQUENCY AND TIMING

Feeding rates and frequencies are in part a function of fish size. Small larval fish and fry need to be fed a high protein diet frequently and

usually in excess. Small fish have a high energy demand and must eat nearly continuously and be fed almost hourly.

As fish grow, feeding rates and frequencies should be lowered, and protein content reduced. However, rather than switching to a lower protein diet, feeding less allows the grower to use the same feed (protein level) throughout the grow-out period

Generally, growth and feed conversion increase with feeding frequency. Many factors affect the feeding rates of fish. These include time of day,

season, water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, and other water quality variables. For example, feeding fish grown in ponds early in the morning when the lowest dissolved oxygen levels occur is not advisable.

During the winter and at low water temperatures, feeding rates of warm water fishes in ponds decline and feeding rates should decrease proportionally.

Feed acceptability, palatability and digestibility vary with the ingredients and feed quality. Fish farmers pay careful attention to feeding activity in order to help determine feed acceptance, calculate feed conversion ratios and feed efficiencies, monitor feed costs, and track feed demand throughout the year.

Farmers can calculate optimum feeding rates based on the average size in length or weight and the number of fish in the pond

Farmed fish typically are fed 1-4% of their body weight per day.

FEED MANAGEMENT

Economic consideration1. FCR2.Digestibility3.Pelletability4.Palatability

Environmental consideration1. Ration level2. Feeding frequency2. Feeding method

AUTOMATIC FEEDERS

Fish can be fed by hand, by automatic feeders, and by demand feeders.

Many fish farmers like to hand feed their fish each day to assure that the fish are healthy, feeding vigorously, and exhibiting no problems.

There are a variety of automatic (timed) feeders ranging in design from belt feeders that work on wind-up springs, to electric vibrating feeders, to timed feeders that can be programmed to feed hourly and for extended periods.

Demand feeders do not require electricity or batteries. They usually are suspended above fish tanks and work by allowing the fish to trigger feed release by striking a moving rod that extends into the water.

Whenever a fish strikes the trigger, a small amount of feed is released into the tank.

Automatic and demand feeders save time, labor and money, but at the expense of the vigilance that comes with hand feeding.

DIFFERENT STEPS OF FISH FEED PREPARATION

MAJOR CONVENTIONAL AND NON-CONVENTIONAL FEED INGREDIENTS AVAILABLE IN INDIAIngredients Quantity (Million tonnes)

Rice bran 5.7 (2007-08)

Wheat bran 2.73 (2007-08)

Groundnut oil cake 6.0 (2007-08)

Soybean meal 7.13 (2007-08)

Rapesed/Mustard cake 3.78 (2007-08)

Sal seed cake 0.1 (2007-08)

Sesame 0.5 (2007-08)

Linseed 0.11 (2007-08)

Safflower 0.15 (2007-08)

Cotton seed cake 8.5 (2007-08)

Maize 18.96 (2007-08)

Sorghum 8.0 (2002-03)

Poultry offal 0.15 (2002-03)

Silkworm pupae 0.04 (2002- 03)

PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF SOME LOCALLY AVAILABLE FEED INGREDIENT

INGREDIENTS CP CL MOISTURE

CRUDE FIBRE

COST/KG

MOC 31.50 8.79 6.95 13.10 21.00

Linseed OC 23.55 11.97

6.03 9.25 26.00

Soybean OC 44.41 1.75 5.93 9.14 31.00

Groundnut OC 36.69 8.4 10.36 19.68 25.00

Wheat Bran 14.44 1.38 10.52 10.61 8.00

DORB 18.81 0.64 6.36 14.43 8.00

Maize Bran 13.35 1.31 7.39 5.8 15.00

Brewery waste 49.2 3.12 73.21 12.83 3.00

Fish meal 54.69 12.89

5.6 Nil 45.00

APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY OF PROTEIN AND ENERGY FOR VARIOUS FEED INGREDIENTS IN INDIAN MAJOR CARP SPECIES

Ingredients Apparent digestibility coefficient (%)

Rohu Catla Mrigal

Protein Energy Protein Energy

Protein Energy

Soybean oil cake (solvent extracted)

94 90-96.18 94.1 - 92.8 81.27-89.33

Sesame oil cake 84 - - - 89.6 -

Mustard oil cake 88.2 63.14-64.33

86.6 - 89.5 50.27-55.75

Linseed meal 82 - - - - -

Groundnut oil cake 83.8 78.36-82.98

- - 82.2 76.82-81.97

Silkworm pupae meal 85 66.46-68.01

- - - 58.34-60.27

Fish meal 74.1 69.34-72.64

76.1-90.4 - 73.6 53.97-58.03

Slaughter house waste

73.6 61.23-69.51

- - 73.5 57.4-64.09

Rice bran/rice polish 88.3-90

43.55-48.80

90 - 84.4-91

45.82-49.07

Wheat Bran 88.1-93

58.58-68.02

88.5-93 - 89.6-93

44.69-53.86

Yellow Corn 86-96 - 86-96 - 86-96 -

Potato Starch 86-96 - 83-98 - 85-98 -

SOME FORMULATION FOR FARM MADE FEED WITH LOCALLY AVAILABLE FEED INGREDIENTS

AND THEIR ON FARM COST(BASED ON 2009 PRICE INDEX)

Ingredients Ratio Total CP

Total CL

Cost/ kg (Rs)

Groundnut oilcake (OC) : rice bran

50:50 25 8.5 15.00

Mustard OC: RB: Linseed OC 40:40:10 25 7.0 10.80

Sunflower OC :RB : silkworm pupae

65:30:5 25 9.0 09.50

MOC :LOC: RB: silkworm pupae 45:15:35:5

24 10.0 11.00

Sesame OC : RB 60:40 25 6.4 10.20

HOW TO MAKE FEED PELLETS Ingredients in required quantities are milled and mix

together. Grinding and mixing can be done by a portable mini

grinder cum pulverizer. Add 2-3% of wheat flour (maida) /cassava as binder. Steam the mixture with some water, to reduce the

anti-nutrient factors if any . Cool the mixture, may add 1% commercial vitamin

and mineral premix. Dough is the ready-mix to prepare feed pellets. Process the dough in a portable mini pellet machine. Use desired dice to get feed pellets. Sun dry the pellets and use in aquaculture pond. Pellets can be crumbled by the above grinder to

small pieces for nursery and juvenile rearing.

PREPARATION OF DIFFERENT SIZE PELLET

STORAGE AND PRESERVATION OF FARM MADE FEED

Farm made feed pellets should be used as fresh as possible.

It can be stored for a month. Use polythene gunny bag to store the feed

pellets. Avoid moisture contamination as far as

practicable to keep the feed in dry condition.

Sun dry the feed pellet at least once in every fortnight to avoid the fungal growth.

Fungal infested feeds are not advised to be used in fish pond.

APPLICATION OF FARM MADE FEEDS

One can broadcast the finely crumbled or powdered feed in the nursery pond.

Coarse crumbles are applied in basket as feed dispenser device.

Feed pellets are given to the grow-out fish or brood by hanging tray or basket at different depth of the water in the pond.

Apply the feed pellet in splited dose as per the consumption.

FEED FORMULATION FOR FRY AND FINGERLINGS OF INDIAN MAJOR CARPS

Fingerlings and growers

Ingredients Composition (%)

Rice bran 35.0

Groundnut oil cake 25.0

Roasted soybean meal 25.0

Fish meal 7.0

Vegetable oil 5.0

Fish oil 2.0

Vitamin- mineral premix 1.0

FEEDING SCHEDULE FOLLOWED IN DIFFERENT PHASES OF CARP

CULTURE PRACTICESSpawn to fry (culture period 15 days)

Fry to fingerlings (culture period 90days)

Grow- out culture(culture period 15 days)

4 times of initial body weight during first week and 8 times of initial body weight during second week in 2 rations

6-8% of biomass during first month, 5-6% of biomass during second month and 3-4% of biomass during third month in 2 rations

3-5% of biomass in the first month and 1-3% of biomass in the subsequent months provided twice a day

COLLECTION OF LOCALLY AVAILABLE FEED

INGREDIENTS

GRINDING OF RAW INGREDIENT

PULVERIZATION OF INGREDIENTS

MIXING OF INGREDIENTS

COOKING OF INGREDIENTS

PELLETIZATION OF FEED

DRYING OF FEED IN AIR OVEN

FINAL FORM OF FEED

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