Comparison of growth performance of European catfish (Silurus glanis L) rearing in freshwater and 5 ‰ salinity in recirculating system

Abstract

European catfish (Silurus glanis L.) is a fish that has a high economic value due to its rapid growth and delicious flesh. In this study, the growth performance of European catfish was investigated in freshwater and 5‰ salinity in recirculating system. The study was carried out using fish with an average weight of 507±13.02 g and an average total length of 42.85±0.45 cm in freshwater (Y1, Y2, Y3) and 5‰ salinity of ground water (T1, T2, T3) designed as three replications for three months. Fish were fed with 3% of the total weight two meals a day. The mean body weight gain, total lenght increase, amount and percentage of feed consumption, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were higher in group Y (P<0.05). No statistical difference was observed between the survival rates of the groups (P>0.05). As a result, it is concluded that this species can be reared in both fresh water and 5‰ saline water.