Six diets made from purified and semi-purified materials (casein, gelatin, gluten, zein, dextrin, α-cellulose) were tested over an 80-day period in adult (150 ± 47.40 g) African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell). Six protein to lipid ratios were tested ranging from 12.85 mg protein kJ⁻¹ to 20.51 mg protein kJ⁻¹. Performance indices (PWG, SGR, FCR) compare favorably with those previously observed for C. gariepinus and other clariid species. The best performing diets were those with a total gross energy range of 22 to 24 kJ g⁻¹, a P/E ratio of 19.5 - 20.5 mg protein kJ⁻¹, a crude protein level of 46%, a crude lipid level of 10-17%, and a carbohydrate level of 26 - 32%. The carbohydrate levels (26 - 32%) of the best performing diets during these experiments were much higher than those of previous researchers (16 - 18%) for the same species and still higher than those (15 - 25%) employed for other carnivores (salmonids, sea bass, sea bream). Therefore, African catfish possibly exhibits more efficient dietary carbohydrate utilization. An increase in carcass lipid as a result of increased dietary non-protein energy was also recorded.
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