Fatheads feed on periphyton, zooplankton, insects, waste feed and detritus. This behavior will help to moderate plankton blooms and organic waste loading. Fatheads can also provide additional food for catfish and extra farm income, if bait markets are established. Four, hardwood loading pallets per acre will provide adequate spawning structures for the fatheads. Feed must provide complete nutrition with maximum conversion efficiency.
Extra protein is needed to ensure rapid growth without reducing water quality.
Lower quality feeds often have poorer conversion efficiency, which results in more waste products. Use reduced feeding rates. Heavy reliance on mechanical aeration often follows the obligatory water quality problems associated with this traditional management method. These problems combined with higher feed conversion rates result in reduced profit potential for many growers. Feed input increased gradually as the water warmed and when the fish ate the feed within 5 - 10 minutes.