Giving fish what they need – launching Optiline Catfish

Recognising the increasing importance of catfish to the African market as a crucial source of protein and also livelihood security, Skretting has launched Optiline Catfish, a dedicated grower feed for farmed catfish that enables producers to achieve optimal levels of fish performance and farm efficiency.

A global product that provides the ideal nutrition for the species, Optiline Catfish is first being made available to African catfish farmers across Nigeria. Largely formulated and manufactured in Nigeria, the new solution will replace Skretting’s existing Essential diet.

Preparations are also ongoing for the diet’s arrival in other key catfish production regions.

Based on Skretting’s extensive knowledge of the nutritional requirements and digestive capabilities of African catfish, Optiline Catfish delivers optimised and consistent digestible nutrients and energy expressly for the species. Furthermore, through precisely balanced protein, energy and phosphorous levels, the formulation meets this very important aquaculture sector’s increasing demand for higher growth rates at a lower feed conversion ratio.

“Developed over the course of more than three years, with the input and ongoing support of many industry-leading stakeholders, Optiline Catfish is designed to provide maximum value for farmers of this fish and to support sustainable farming practices,” says Leiner Lache, Global marketing manager for Warm Water Spieces at Skretting.

Lache continues, “Through optimal growth and feed conversion when following specific feeding frequencies, this new diet will provide catfish farmers in Nigeria and beyond with the opportunity to achieve the cost-efficiencies that will make them far better placed to meet the rising market demand for healthy protein from a growing population.”

Decades of world-class R&D has led Skretting to build up a comprehensive understanding of the African catfish’s specific nutritional needs. Several internal and external growth trials have subsequently ensured the development of the most effective Optiline feed.

"Nigeria is one of the top-producing countries of African catfish. Optiline Catish aims to improve the economic viability of African catfish farming and was developed as a direct response to the customers’ need for cost-oriented solutions. Successful validation trials have shown the feed’s positive impact in fish welfare and FCR, with great feedback from our customers. We are very excited to bring this solution to the African market," says Omoyele James, Formulator Manager at Skretting Nigeria.

As with all Skretting diets, the raw materials selected for Optiline Catfish follow very strict quality assurance criteria, as determined by the group’s global Nutrace programme. This ensures that only approved feed ingredients and suppliers are used by Skretting companies, with regular audits conducted of these sources.

While Optiline Catfish allows farmers to provide their fish with the ideal level of digestible nutrients to meet their specific needs at the appropriate stage of their growth, precise feed management procedures ascertained by Skretting’s unique digital platform AquaSim will ensure the new diet is provided in the right quantities and at the right time. This advancement will contribute to reducing farms’ environmental impacts.

Optiline Catfish covers almost the entire growth requirement of the species – from 40g to 1.5kg.

Learn more about Optiline Catfish