Species guide
Pangasius
Pangasianodon hypophthalmus
High-density culture with rapid growth and a strong appetite. Feed conversion is the single biggest lever on profitability here.
- Optimal stocking
- 20,000–40,000per hectare
- Maximum stocking
- 60,000per hectare
- Optimal temperature
- 26–32degrees Celsius
- Typical harvest size
- 1–2.5 kg
- Typical culture period
- 8–12 months
- Feeding zone
- Column and bottom; also takes floating feed
Water to aim for
- Temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Dissolved oxygen
- 3 mg/L or more (aim higher at high density)
- pH
- 6.5–8.0
Feeding by growth stage
General starting ranges, as a share of the fish's body weight each day. Adjust to appetite, water temperature and oxygen, and ask your advisor for your own pond.
Fry to fingerling
- Fish size
- Up to 50 g
- Feed per day
- 5–8% of body weight
- Meals per day
- 4
Feed
Juvenile
- Fish size
- 50–200 g
- Feed per day
- 3–4% of body weight
- Meals per day
- 3
Feed
Grow-out
- Fish size
- 200–500 g
- Feed per day
- 2.5–3% of body weight
- Meals per day
- 2
Feed
Finishing
- Fish size
- Above 500 g
- Feed per day
- About 2% of body weight
- Meals per day
- 2
Feed
Floating and sinking feed together
Pangasius feed through the water column and near the bottom but take floating pellets well. Floating feed lets you judge appetite; a sinking feed alongside it reaches fish feeding lower down. Many farmers use one as the main feed and the other as a supplement.
Good practice
- Run aeration through the night in densely stocked ponds; paddlewheel aerators work well.
- Feed in the morning, once oxygen has recovered from the night.
- Exchange water regularly and check ammonia often; pangasius produce a lot of waste.
- Hold back feed for a day or two before harvest.
Mistakes to avoid
- Too little aeration for the stocking density.
- Using a low-energy feed for a fish with a big appetite.
- Letting water quality slide until the fish develop an off-flavour.
- Stocking more fish than the pond can clear waste for.
- Harvesting while the fish are stressed.
Recommended products
Grower Feed
Floating Fish Feed - Grower 28/5
A scientifically balanced floating feed designed for the intermediate growth phase
- Balanced Protein-Fat Ratio
- Vitamins and Minerals
Grower Feed
Floating Fish Feed - Grower 24/4
A cost-effective, performance-driven floating feed tailored for the later stages of fish growth
- Economical Protein Composition
- Vitamins and Minerals
Extra Nutrition, Extra Growth
Extra Gain
A scientifically designed feed supplement that enhances feed efficiency
- Boosted FCR
- Accelerated Weight Gain
Pond Conditioner
Ventox PM
A powerful pond conditioner that neutralises harmful toxins from pond bottom
- Toxin Neutralisation
- Bottom Sludge Management
Read more
- Guide · 7 minFloating vs Sinking Feed: Complete Guide for Indian Polyculture
- Guide · 6 minHow to Calculate Daily Fish Feed Requirement: A Practical Guide
- Guide · 8 minComplete Guide to Water Quality Management in Aquaculture
- Guide · 4 minCommon Feeding Mistakes in Traditional Aquaculture and How to Avoid Them
- Guide · 4 minKeeping Fish Healthy: Biosecurity, Pond Management and Early Warning Signs
- Guide · 3 minFeed Optimisation: Getting More Growth from Every Bag
- Guide · 3 minSeasonal Aquaculture: Best Practices for Each Season
- Guide · 3 minProbiotics in Aquaculture: What They Are and How to Use Them
- Guide · 3 minStocking Density: Finding the Right Balance for Your Pond
Work out feed for your pangasius pond
Enter your stock count and average weight to get a daily feeding rate adjusted for water temperature — or ask the advisor and it will do the calculation for you.