Best Feed for Catfish Growth in 2025: Top Foods, Tips & Feeding Guide

Last updated on June 26, 2025

Tired of feeding your catfish every day and still ending up with slow growers? I’ve been there—and wasted money doing it. The truth? The feed you use makes or breaks your harvest. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what to feed for faster weight gain—based on what’s actually worked for me.

Whether you’re running a commercial farm or raising catfish in a backyard tank, you’ll get real, measurable results by using the right combination of feed types, additives, and timing.

Quick Answer: What Food Makes Catfish Grow Faster?

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick list of high-performance catfish feeds:

• Floating pellets (35–40% protein): Commercial staple with complete nutrition.
• Maggots: Cheap, high in protein, and great for digestion.
• Earthworms: Excellent source of live animal protein.
• Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL): Nutrient-rich and sustainable.
• Properly treated soybean meal: Budget-friendly plant protein when processed correctly.
• Duckweed & Azolla: Aquatic greens that reduce feed cost.
• Fermented poultry waste: High in nutrients but must be handled safely.
• Homemade high-protein feed mix: Lets you control the ingredients and cost.

Each of these options works in different ways—some improve digestion, others provide high protein or natural growth factors. The trick is understanding when and how to use them together for faster weight gain and lower feed costs.

The Science Behind Catfish Growth: What Nutrients Do They Really Need?

Catfish don’t just grow by magic. They need a balanced diet rich in key nutrients to turn feed into muscle. Here’s what their bodies need most:

• Protein (30–45%): This is the number one nutrient for growth. It helps build muscle, tissues, and organs(FAO: Catfish Nutrition Guidelines).
• Fat (5–10%): Supplies energy and helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, and E.
• Carbohydrates (20–30%): Provide extra energy, though not as critical as protein.
• Vitamins & Minerals: Support everything from bone strength to immune health.

When these nutrients are out of balance—like too much carbohydrate and too little protein—your catfish may get fat without gaining much weight. Worse, undigested feed increases ammonia in the pond, leading to stress and disease.

That’s why the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) matters. It tells you how much feed is needed for 1kg of fish weight gain. The lower, the better:

• FCR of 1.5:1 = Excellent
• FCR of 2:1 = Good
• FCR above 2.5 = You’re wasting money

Always choose feeds that are not only rich in nutrients but also highly digestible. Aim for FCR of 1.5:1 or better to maximize profit.

Here’s a quick checklist to boost FCR:

• Use fresh, not expired, feed.
• Avoid moldy or clumped feed.
• Control feeding time (morning/evening, not mid-day).
• Adjust quantity based on age and water temperature.

Top 7 Proven Foods That Make Catfish Grow Faster

Let’s break down why each of these works, when to use them, and the results you can expect.

1. High-Protein Floating Pellets

These are commercially formulated feeds designed for maximum nutrition and efficiency.

Why they work:

• Float time allows monitoring and reduces waste.
• Uniform pellets prevent selective feeding.
• Often include added amino acids, vitamins, and attractants.

Pro tip: Feed smaller pellets to fingerlings and size up as they grow. Pellets with fishmeal and soybean protein offer the best results.

Bonus tip: Some farmers soak pellets briefly in vitamin solution before feeding to increase palatability and absorption.

2. Maggots and Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)

Many farmers overlook these, but they’re powerhouses of digestible animal protein.

Why they work:

• Easy for catfish to digest and absorb.
• Improve gut flora, leading to better feed use.
• Inexpensive and sustainable.

How to Use:

• Add 2–3 times per week as supplements
• Especially effective when fingerlings are underweight

Farm Hack: Have leftover kitchen scraps? Turn kitchen scraps into maggot feed—cheap, high-protein, and sustainable. If you’re interested in producing maggot for your catfish, Learn how to produce maggots using our complete guide.

3. Earthworms

Nature’s perfect fish snack. Earthworms contain all the essential amino acids your catfish need.

Why they work:

• Rich in protein (up to 60%)
• Easily raised in small spaces
• Great for juvenile fish recovering from stress

How to use:

• Feed fresh or dried, especially for juvenile stages
• Great during nursery-to-grow-out transitions

Tip: Earthworms are ideal during transition periods when fish are adjusting from nursery to grow-out tanks.

4. Soybean Meal (Properly Treated)

Raw soybeans can stunt growth if not treated, but processed soy meal is gold.

Why it works:

• Lowers feed cost
• Provides consistent plant-based protein

Treatment methods:

• Toasting at high heat removes anti-nutrients.
• Fermentation increases protein availability and reduces gut irritation.

Common mistake: Using raw soybean meal—this slows growth and causes bloating.

Solution: Invest in a local cooperative that treats soybean meal or ferment your own with probiotics for best results.

5. Duckweed and Azolla

These floating greens are more than pond weeds. They’re feed savers!

Why they work:

• Fast-growing and renewable
• High in crude protein (up to 40%)

How to use:

• Dry, grind, and mix into pellet feed
• Reduce total feed cost by 15–25%

Bonus tip: Grown in a side tank or floating cage, duckweed is a zero-cost protein addition.

6. Fermented Poultry Waste (Use With Caution)

It sounds risky, but when done right, this can be a game-changer for small farms. But, when I switched from raw soybean meal to fermented poultry feed, my FCR improved from 2.1 to 1.6 in 4 weeks.

Why it works:

• High in nitrogen and beneficial bacteria
• Great for older juveniles and adults

How to prepare:

1. Mix poultry droppings with EM1 and molasses.
2. Seal in an airtight drum.
3. Ferment 5–7 days.

Warning: Always test on a few fish first. Never use if it smells rotten.

When to use: Only during the mid-grow stage—not for fingerlings or when water quality is poor.

7. Custom Homemade Feed Mix

Making your own feed gives you total control—and it’s often cheaper.

Best for: Farmers who want to tailor feed to available ingredients and reduce dependency on commercial brands.

Ingredient	Percentage
Soybean meal	40%
Maize bran	25%
Blood meal	15%
Wheat offal	10%
Vitamin/mineral mix	10%

Step-by-step:

1. Weigh and mix ingredients evenly.
2. Add warm water and binder (like cassava starch).
3. Pelletize or feed as mash.

Tip: Track results weekly using a fish growth chart and adjust your formula if gains drop.

Results: Balanced diet = faster growth and fewer diseases.

Feeding Frequency: How Often Should You Feed Catfish for Fast Growth?

Feeding isn’t just about what you give—it’s also when and how often you give it. Timing can literally make or break your FCR and final harvest weight.

Key Principles:

• Fingerlings need to eat 2–3 times per day to grow steadily.
• Juveniles and adults can be fed once or twice daily.
• Feed during cooler hours: early morning and late afternoon.
• Feed during early morning or late afternoon to improve digestion.

Why it matters: Fish metabolism is temperature-sensitive. Feeding at noon (when pond temps spike) leads to lower digestion rates and more waste.

Pro tip: Create a fixed feeding schedule and stick to it. Inconsistent feeding stresses fish and causes competition and injury.

Feeding chart example:

Growth Stage	Feed Type	Feeding Times	Quantity (per day)
Fingerlings	Crumble/Mini Pellets	8am, 12pm, 4pm	5–10% body weight
Juveniles	Floating Pellets	8am, 5pm	3–5% body weight
Adults	Regular Pellets/DIY	7am or 6pm	2–3% body weight

Monitor feeding: Feed what they’ll finish in 10–15 minutes. If feed remains after that? You’re overfeeding—and wasting money.

Use this tip: A catfish should respond quickly at feeding time. If they’re sluggish, your water or health may be off.

Pellet Size vs. Fish Size: How to Match Feed to Fish Stage

Common Feeding Mistakes That Can Slow Down Catfish Growth

Even with the best feed in the world, growth can stall if you’re making common errors. I’ve seen beginners—and even experienced farmers—fall into these traps.

Overfeeding

Too much feed doesn’t mean faster growth. It actually pollutes the water.

Signs:

• Leftover feed floating or sinking
• Murky water
• Fish avoiding feed

Why it’s bad: Rotting feed raises ammonia and drops oxygen. That weakens immunity and slows down digestion.

Fix it: Feed just enough that’s eaten within 10–15 minutes. Anything more is waste.

Underfeeding

Trying to save feed by reducing quantity? That’s a slow road to stunted fish.

Signs:

• Fish remain small despite age
• Constant aggression during feeding
• Visible rib lines on body

Fix it: Stick to feeding rates by weight. Monitor growth weekly and adjust.

Inconsistent Feeding Schedule

Feeding at random times confuses the fish’s biological clock.

Why it matters: Consistent timing builds routine and improves digestion efficiency. Erratic feeding causes stress and delays growth.

Fix it: Set a strict daily schedule and train your workers (or yourself!) to follow it.

Ignoring Water Quality

Even perfect feed can’t overcome dirty water.

Symptoms of trouble:

• Fish gasping at the surface
• Cloudy or smelly pond
• Algae blooms

How to respond: Test water weekly. Check dissolved oxygen, pH, and ammonia. Improve aeration and avoid overstocking.

Growth Boosters and Feed Additives: Do They Really Work?

Short answer? Yes—but only when used right. Not all additives are magic, and using them wrongly can do more harm than good.

Probiotics

These are beneficial bacteria that improve digestion.

Why they help:

• Improve gut health
• Boost feed utilization
• Reduce disease risks

Usage: Add to feed or apply directly to water. Use recommended dosages from trusted suppliers.

Enzymes

Enzymes like protease and amylase help break down feed faster.

Why it matters: Faster digestion = faster absorption = better growth.

Tip: Great for fish recovering from stress or poor water.

Garlic

Yes, garlic! It boosts appetite and acts as a mild natural antibiotic.

How to use: Crush and mix into feed or buy garlic powder premix.

Amino Acids: Lysine and Methionine

These are essential building blocks of protein.

Why they work:

• Improve protein synthesis
• Reduce feed waste

Note: Most quality commercial feeds already include them, but for homemade feed, you may need to supplement.

Vitamin Premix

A well-balanced premix ensures your fish aren’t missing any micro-nutrients.

Why it’s vital: Supports growth, immunity, and bone development. Especially important in DIY feed.

Best practice: Always store premixes in a cool, dry place. Heat or moisture ruins their potency.

Bottom line: Use additives strategically, not as a crutch. They won’t fix bad feed or bad habits.

Do Feed Additives Help Catfish Grow Faster?

• Probiotics – Yes, improves digestion
• Garlic – Appetite booster
• Use only with good base feed – they’re not magic pills

Reminder: These are not magic pills. They boost good feed, not fix bad feeding habits.

Fingerlings vs Juveniles: Matching Feed to the Right Growth Stage

Not all catfish are created equal—at least not by size. Feeding the wrong feed at the wrong stage causes stunting, waste, and stress.

Fingerlings (1–10g)

Needs: High-protein, finely crumbled or mini-pellet feed.

Feeding tips:

• Feed 2–3 times daily
• Ensure strong aeration to encourage appetite
• Use floating or slow-sinking feed so you can monitor intake

Goal: Build a strong, healthy foundation.

Juveniles (10–200g)

Needs: Floating pellets with 35–40% protein.

Feeding tips:

• Feed 1–2 times daily
• Gradually reduce frequency as fish get bigger
• Introduce natural supplements like maggots or worms

Goal: Rapid weight gain while maintaining good FCR.

Sub-adults and Adults (200g and above)

Needs: Slightly lower protein (30–35%), larger pellet size.

Feeding tips:

• Feed once per day or alternate days, depending on temperature and growth goals
• Mix in cost-effective options like homemade feed or duckweed

Goal: Bulk up for market without overspending.

Water Quality and Feed Efficiency: What Most Farmers Overlook

Great feed can only do so much if your water quality is poor. Fish live in their food, essentially—so if their “home” is toxic, growth slows down or even stops.

Key Water Parameters to Monitor:

• Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Minimum 5 mg/L is ideal
• pH Level: Between 6.5 and 8.5
• Ammonia: Should be 0 mg/L
• Nitrite/Nitrate: As low as possible
• Temperature: 25–30°C (77–86°F) for optimal metabolism

How Water Affects Growth:

• Low oxygen = reduced feed intake = slow growth
• High ammonia = stress = disease = lower feed conversion
• Temperature swings = metabolism fluctuations = poor digestion

Steps to Improve Water Quality:

• Use aerators or paddle wheels
• Avoid overstocking and overfeeding
• Remove uneaten feed daily
• Change water partially every week (10–20%)
• Use water test kits weekly

Water might seem secondary, but it’s really the foundation. Keep it clean, and your feed works better.

Best Feeding Practices for Catfish Growth: Final Thoughts

Feeding catfish for maximum growth isn’t about just picking one magical food—it’s about managing a system. Growth happens when nutrition, timing, water quality, and care all work together.

Here’s your winning combo:

• Start with quality floating pellets (35–40% protein) as your base.
• Supplement with natural, protein-rich options like maggots or earthworms for fast-growing catfish feed.
• Tailor your feeding to the fish’s size and growth stage for the best feed conversion efficiency.
• Maintain clean, oxygen-rich water to improve digestion and reduce stress—key to avoiding stunted catfish growth.
• Use growth boosters (probiotics, garlic, enzymes) when needed, especially in natural feeding methods for small ponds.

There’s no shortcut. But there is a clear path. Feed smart, manage well, and you’ll see your fish grow faster, healthier, and more profitably.

Want to dive deeper? Check out these helpful guides:

• How to Produce Maggots for Catfish Farming
• How Many Catfish in a 1000 Litre Tank?
• How Many Bags of Feed for 1000 Catfish Monthly?
• How to Start a Profitable Fish Farming Venture in Nigeria

FAQs About Catfish Feed and Growth