Feeding is a crucial aspect of fish farming, including pangasius cultivation. It not only determines the growth and health of the fish but also directly impacts production efficiency and the sustainability of the farming environment. In the context of pangasius farming, proper and well-managed feeding is key to achieving optimal harvests. This is because effective feeding management ensures that the fish receive the right nutrients according to their needs while minimizing leftover feed that can pollute the environment.

Good feeding management significantly impacts the amount of feed consumed by the fish, feed efficiency, and the possibility of environmental pollution. Feed efficiency is a vital parameter in fish farming as it directly relates to operational costs and harvest yields. When feed is provided accurately and in accordance with the fish's needs, they can utilize it optimally, ultimately enhancing their growth rate and health. Conversely, excessive or inappropriate feeding can lead to the accumulation of leftover feed at the bottom of the pond, potentially becoming a source of pollution and degrading water quality.

Uncontrolled environmental pollution caused by uneaten feed can have serious consequences for the health and survival of the fish themselves. Deteriorating water quality due to the accumulation of organic matter from leftover feed can lead to various fish diseases, ultimately threatening the survival of the fish population in the pond. Therefore, proper feeding management is crucial to maintain the ecological balance within the aquaculture pond.

Factors affecting feeding management

Feeding management is influenced by various factors, including the fish's developmental stage, the size of the larvae or fry, the mouth opening of the larvae or fry, the type of feed, the feeding technique, and the feeding frequency. Controlling the feeding frequency is one of the essential factors in feed management. Feeding frequency is determined by the species and size of the fish, as well as factors that affect the fish's appetite. These three factors are closely interrelated. The smaller the fish, the more frequent the feeding needs to be. Conversely, the larger the fish, the less frequent the feeding.

This occurs because the capacity and speed of gastric emptying in fish vary; the faster the gastric emptying time, the higher the required feeding frequency. After gastric emptying, the appetite of some fish species will increase again if feed is available. Thus, fry's feeding frequency will differ from adult fish (broodstock).

Controlling the feeding frequency is based on the consideration that each type and size of pangasius has a different feeding interval, depending on its gastric capacity and emptying rate. Therefore, the feeding of broodstock and fry or larvae of pangasius will differ. Below is a more detailed explanation of pangasius feeding management based on size and age.

Pangasius broodstock

Both male and female Pangasius broodstock require special attention in feeding as the right feed will significantly influence the success of gonad maturation and the spawning process. The feed should be in the form of high-quality pellets, containing complete nutrients to support the broodstock's needs during the reproductive period. This feed typically consists of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. The protein content in the feed is crucial, with an ideal percentage between 30-35 percent, as protein plays a major role in optimal gonad development.

Feeding is done daily with a dosage of about 3-5 percent of the biomass weight per day. The recommended feeding frequency is 2-3 times a day to ensure that the broodstock receives a consistent and optimal nutrient intake. This division of frequency is important to prevent the accumulation of uneaten feed, which can degrade the water quality in the pond. With regular feeding, the broodstock can achieve an ideal physical condition for the spawning process, which will ultimately support successful reproduction and the sustainability of the pangasius population.

It is important to note that feeding should not be done all at once. Initially, it is best to spread half of the planned dose. If the fish still exhibit aggressive behavior and a high appetite, the feed can be added gradually until the fish show signs of satiation or start to refuse the feed. This approach helps optimize feed consumption and prevent waste, as well as reduces the risk of water pollution from uneaten feed. 

Pangasius fry

Feeding pangasius fry or larvae is one of the most crucial stages in their cultivation, as their nutritional needs are far more complex than those of adult fish. At this stage, fry requires feed with a complete nutritional composition to support rapid and healthy growth. Therefore, natural feed is a highly suitable choice as it is not only rich in nutrients but also has other advantages such as not polluting the aquatic environment and being easy to cultivate. Moreover, live feed that can move, such as artemia, can stimulate the fry's feeding instincts, thus minimizing the risk of uneaten feed.

Artemia : Hans Hillewaert

Feeding pangasius fry must be done carefully and regularly to ensure that each fry receives sufficient and even nutrition. This is important to reduce the level of cannibalism that often occurs due to hunger or competition for food. The first feed given to the fry is artemia, which is started 24 hours after hatching, at an optimal temperature range of 29-30 °C. Artemia, provided periodically every 4-5 hours, helps keep the fry actively feeding, which can support rapid and uniform initial growth.

As the fry grows older, the type of feed provided also changes to their nutritional needs and mouth size. At the age of 2-7 days, pangasius fry are still fed artemia, which is rich in protein and easily digested by their still-developing digestive system. Entering the age of 7-15 days, the larvae are introduced to feed in the form of tubifex worms (Tubifex sp.), which are not only high in protein but also easy for the fry to catch. When the fry is 15-30 days old, the feed is switched to powdered pellets with a minimum protein content of 35 percent. These powdered pellets help prepare the fry to transition to artificial feed as they grow toward the grow-out stage.

Harvesting of pangasius fry: BPBAT Sungai Gelam

Feed optimization strategies

In implementing feed management, farmers must pay attention to several strategies to ensure optimal feeding of pangasius, both broodstock and fry. First, farmers need to understand the specific nutritional requirements of each stage of the fish's life. The nutritional needs at the broodstock stage differ from those at the fry stage, so the type of feed and its frequency must be adjusted accordingly.

Second, it is important to regularly monitor the fish's feeding behavior. This aims to ensure that the feed provided is consumed by the fish and not wasted. Uneaten feed is not only economically detrimental but can also pollute the aquatic environment and cause a decline in water quality.

Third, farmers need to consider the environmental conditions of the water, such as temperature and water quality, which can affect appetite and feed efficiency. At temperatures that are too low or too high, the fish's appetite may decrease, so the feeding frequency needs to be adjusted.

Tubifex worm (Tubifex sp.)

Challenges and solutions in feed management

Although good feed management can significantly improve the health and productivity of pangasius, farmers often face several complex challenges. One of the main challenges is the fluctuation in the quality of feed available in the market. Inconsistent feed in terms of nutritional content can lead to uneven fish growth, reducing feed efficiency and resulting in increased production costs. When feed quality is not guaranteed, the fish may not receive the necessary nutrient intake for optimal growth, which can negatively impact overall production.

To overcome this problem, farmers are advised to choose and subscribe to feed types from reputable producers who have a proven track record of providing consistent results. Conducting regular feed quality tests is also an important step to ensure that the feed provided continues to meet the nutritional standards required by pangasius. Additionally, developing alternative feeds from local ingredients that are inexpensive and readily available can be an effective solution. These local ingredients, when processed properly, can provide balanced nutrition and support fish growth while reducing dependence on commercial feed.

Another challenge often faced by farmers is the control of diseases related to feeding. Overfeeding or providing feed that is not suitable for the fish's needs can lead to the accumulation of leftover feed at the bottom of the pond, which can trigger the growth of bacteria and harmful pathogens. A pond environment polluted by leftover feed becomes an ideal breeding ground for various diseases that can threaten the health of the fish. Considering this, farmers must manage the dosage and frequency of feeding appropriately, as well as maintain the cleanliness of the aquatic environment.