The Best Fish Feed in Nigeria for Catfish: Why Quality Matters

A few months ago, I visited a fish farm run by an ambitious aquapreneur who had high hopes for his homemade fish feed. His pond was large, his vision clear: this feed would cut costs, boost growth, and drive profitability. 

But within a week, disaster struck. Fish floated belly-up. Growth stalled. The numbers didn’t add up.  

The problem wasn’t the fish. It was the feed.  

The catfish were growing exactly as they were fed: poorly. Just as fish can’t flourish on empty calories, a farm can’t succeed on subpar feed. The right nutrition makes the difference between a thriving business and a sinking investment.  

In Nigeria’s competitive catfish farming industry, choosing the best feed isn’t just about cost, it’s about protein content, digestibility, floatability, and growth performance. The wrong feed leads to stunted growth, higher mortality, and lost profits. The right one maximizes yield, health, and market value. 

In this article, we’ll explore:  

• The top commercial fish feeds in Nigeria; tested and trusted by successful farmers.  
• Key nutritional requirements for catfish at different growth stages.  
• Cost vs. quality: why cheaper feeds often end up more expensive in the long run.  

If you’re serious about profitability, your feed choice can’t be an afterthought. You must feed your fish the right way. Let’s dive in.

Understanding Catfish Nutrition: What Makes a Feed "The Best"?

Before listing the best feeds, we need to understand what makes a feed effective. Catfish, like all living organisms, require a balanced diet to grow optimally. The best feeds provide:

A. High-Quality Protein (30% and Above)

Protein is the backbone of growth. Catfish need at least 30% protein in their diet for rapid tissue development and repair. Sources include:  

• Fish meal (highly digestible, rich in amino acids)  
• Soybean meal (affordable, plant-based protein)  
• Blood meal, maggot meal, and insect-based proteins (emerging sustainable options).

Cheap feeds often skimp on protein, leading to slow growth and poor feed conversion ratios (FCR); meaning you spend more on feed for less weight gain. 

B. Digestible Carbohydrates for Energy

Catfish need energy to grow, but their digestive systems are short, meaning ingredients must be easily digestible. Good sources include:  

• Corn, wheat middlings, rice bran (provide steady energy)  
• Fish oil or animal fat (boosts calorie content).  

Low-quality feeds use fillers like cassava peel or sawdust, which pass undigested, wasting money.  

C. Vitamins and Minerals 

Essential for immune function, bone development, and metabolism. Key minerals include:  

• Calcium and phosphorus (bone strength)  
• Iron and iodine (blood and metabolic health).  

D. Floatability (For Extruded Feeds)

Floating pellets allow farmers to monitor feeding, reduce waste, and prevent water pollution. Sinking feeds often decompose, fouling water quality. 

E. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

The gold standard of profitability. A good FCR for catfish is 1.2–1.5, meaning 1.2kg of feed produces 1kg of fish. Poor feeds may have FCRs above 2.0, doubling your costs.

The Best Commercial Catfish Feeds in Nigeria (2025 Update)  

After years of testing feeds across farms, here are the top-performing commercial feeds in Nigeria:  

A. Imported Feeds (High Quality, Higher Cost) 

1. Skretting (Durante Feed)

•  Protein: 32–40%  
•  FCR: 1.1–1.3  

Pros: Excellent growth rates, trusted by large-scale farms.  

Cons: Expensive (~₦933–₦1,040 per kg) .  

2. Coppens 

• Protein: 30–38%  
• FCR: 1.2–1.4  

Pros:  quality, high digestibility.  

Cons: Priced at ~₦1,040/kg.

B. Nigerian-Made Feeds (Balanced Cost and Quality) 

3. BlueCrown 

• Protein: 28–32%  
• FCR: 1.3–1.5  

Pros: Affordable (~₦703/kg), good floatability.  

Cons: Slightly lower protein than imported brands.  

4. Aqualis

• Protein: 30–34%  
• FCR: 1.4–1.6  

Pros: Reliable mid-range option (~₦833/kg).  

Cons: Some batches vary in quality.  

5. Koudijs (Terratiga Limited)

• Protein: 30–35%  
• FCR: 1.2–1.4  

Pros: Extruded for high floatability, Dutch-formulated.  

Cons: Pricier than local brands (~₦800–₦900/kg).

C. Indigenous/Self-Formulated Feeds (Low Cost, Variable Quality) 

6. Farm-Made Feeds (Local Mills) 

• Protein: 25–30% (varies widely)  
• FCR: 1.5–2.0+  

Pros: Cheap (~₦400–₦500/kg).  

Cons: Risk of poor digestibility, contamination, and inconsistent results.

Cost vs. Quality: Why Cheap Feeds Often Cost More

Many farmers opt for cheaper feeds to save money, but here’s the catch:  

Example:

• Feed A (Premium): ₦900/kg, FCR 1.2 → ₦1,080 to produce 1kg fish.
• Feed B (Budget): ₦400/kg, FCR 2.0 → ₦800 to produce 1kg fish.

At first glance, Feed B seems cheaper. But consider:  

Time: Feed B takes longer to achieve market size.  

Mortality: Poor nutrition = higher death rates.  

Final Weight: Cheap feeds often result in smaller fish, reducing profits.

Verdict: Premium feeds save money long-term by improving growth speed and survival. 

4. Feeding Strategies for Different Growth Stages  

Catfish have different nutritional needs as they grow:

CATFISH FEEDING GUIDE BY GROWTH STAGE

STAGE	FEED TYPE	PROTEIN %	RECOMMENDED BRANDS
Fry (0-4 weeks)	Powder/Crumble (0.5-1.0mm)	40-45%	Koudijs Fry Feed
Fingerlings (4-12 weeks)	1.0-1.5mm pellets	35-40%	Skretting, BlueCrown
Grow-Out (12-24 weeks)	2.0-4.0mm pellets	30-35%	Aqualis, Coppens
Broodstock	6.0-10.0mm pellets	28-30%	Koudijs Broodstock

For optimal growth and profitability • www.trojanpost.com

Pro Tip:

Underfeeding slows growth.  

Overfeeding wastes money and pollutes water.  

Feed 3–5% of body weight daily, adjusting based on appetite. 

Recommendation: Which Feed Should You Choose?

For Maximum Growth: Skretting or Coppens (if budget allows).  

Best Value for Money: BlueCrown or Koudijs.  

Budget Option: Aqualis or farm-made feeds (with caution).  

Remember: The best feed is the one that gives you the lowest cost per kg of fish produced, not the cheapest per bag. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Catfish Feed in Nigeria

1. What is the best feed for catfish in Nigeria?  

The best commercial feeds are:  

• Premium Imported: Skretting (32-40% protein), Coppens (30-38% protein)  
• Quality Local: BlueCrown (28-32% protein), Aqualis (30-34% protein)  
• Budget Option: Farm-made feeds (25-30% protein, but quality varies).

For optimal growth, choose feeds with ≥30% protein and FCR ≤1.5.

2. How much protein do catfish need? 

• Fry (0-4 weeks): 40-45% protein  
• Fingerlings (4-12 weeks): 35-40% protein  
• Grow-Out (12-24 weeks): 30-35% protein  
• Broodstock: 28-30% protein  

Low-protein feeds (<25%) cause stunted growth and higher mortality.

3. Why is my catfish feed floating or sinking?

• Floating feeds: Extruded (expensive but better for monitoring and water quality).  
• Sinking feeds: Cheaper but may pollute water if uneaten. 

Top farms use floating pellets (e.g., Koudijs, Skretting) for efficiency.

4. How often should I feed my catfish?

• Fry: 4-5 times daily (small portions)  
• Juveniles/Adults: 2-3 times daily (3-5% of body weight)

Stop feeding if fish ignore food to avoid water contamination.

5. What’s the cheapest catfish feed in Nigeria?

Farm-mixed feeds cost ~₦400-₦500/kg but:  

Risks: Low digestibility, inconsistent quality, higher FCR (≥2.0).  

Better option: Mid-range feeds like BlueCrown (₦700/kg) balance cost and quality. 

6. How do I calculate feed quantity for 1000 catfish?

• 1. Weigh 10 fish and get average weight (e.g., 50g).  
• 2. Multiply by 3% (daily feed rate):  
• 50g × 3% = 1.5g/fish/day
• 1.5g × 1000 fish = 1.5kg/day

Adjust weekly as fish grow. 

7. Can I use chicken feed for catfish? 

No! Chicken feed:  

Lacks essential amino acids (taurine, lysine).  

Contains indigestible fillers (e.g., feathers).  

Causes fatty liver disease in catfish.

8. How long does it take catfish to reach 1kg with good feed?

Premium feed (FCR 1.2-1.4): 5-6 months  

Low-quality feed (FCR 2.0+): 8-12 months  

Example: Skretting-fed fish gain 1kg in 24 weeks vs. 40+ weeks with cheap feed.

9. What causes catfish to die after feeding?

Common reasons:  

• Overfeeding → Water pollution → Ammonia poisoning.  
• Moldy feed→ Aflatoxin poisoning.  
• Poor storage → Nutrient degradation.  

Solution: Use fresh feed, store in airtight containers, and avoid overfeeding.

10. Where can I buy quality catfish feed in Nigeria? 

Lagos: Fish Farm Centers (Ikeja, Ojo), Terratiga (Koudijs distributor).  

Online: AgroMall, eFarms, Jumia (check expiry dates).  

Tip: Buy directly from distributors to avoid adulterated products.  

Conclusion: Feed Smart, Profit More 

Your catfish’s growth is only as good as their feed. Investing in quality nutrition reduces mortality, speeds up growth, and maximizes profits. Don’t fall into the catfish farming trap by letting short-term savings sink your long-term gains.  

Action Step:

1. Test 2–3 feeds on a small batch before full adoption.  

2. Track FCR to measure true cost efficiency.  

3. Adjust feeding rates based on growth stages.  

With the right feed, your farm will thrive. Tight lines and big profits ahead.