Pantothenic acid requirements of channel catfish fingerlings

In 8- and 12-week feeding trials, channel catfish fingerlings were fed purified diets containing four levels (0, 10, 30 and 60 mg/kg) and six levels (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) of supplemental calcium pantothenate, respectively. The dietary pantothenate level required for maximal growth, feed conversion and prevention of gross deficiency signs was approximately 10 mg/kg of diet. Fish fed the unsupplemented diet showed severe anorexia, loss of weight, clubbed gills, anemia, high mortality rates and eroded skins, lower jaws, fins and barbels. Fused gill filaments were not obtained as reported in pantothenate deficient salmonids.