Background.

Due to the growing need to establish new farming methods that improve management and food efficiency of African catfish, 225 Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (10.1± 0.01 g, average starting weight), were included in a study to evaluate three levels of CP (35.0, 40.0, and 45.0%), with an equal protein-energy ratio (20.0 g protein / MJ), and the same absolute requirement of CP (2.8 g of GW / kg of live weight), in the productive performance of these animals.

Methods.

A simple classification method was utilized, with three treatments and three repetitions, and the Duncan significance test was run with 5% likelihood. The foods were added at 8.0, 7.0, and 6.2% of body weight, for 50 days.

Results.

The food supplied did not differ among the treatments. However, the greatest final weights and the best food conversions were observed after raising the levels of diet protein. The economic analysis showed higher ration costs, but also better profits when using the diet with the highest crude protein levels.

Conclusions.

Protein increase with equal absolute requirement (g CP/kg live weight) improves the productive performance of Clarias gariepinus.