Technical Abstract: We examined the effects of matrix encapsulated essential oils (Biomin® P.E.P. MGE) on weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival of channel catfish. Five hundred catfish (32.4 ± 1.7 g/fish) were randomly assigned to two treatments with five replicate tanks/treatment of 50 fish/tank. Treatments were: 1. Control (32% crude protein floating commercial diet) and 2. Biomin® P.E.P. MGE (32% crude protein commercial floating diet supplemented with Biomin® P.E.P. MGE at 200 g/ton). Tanks (1,150 L) were supplied with re-circulated pond water and aeration. The fish were fed once a day to apparent satiation for twelve weeks and weighed every four weeks. Water quality was monitored throughout the study. Water temperature averaged 32.9°C while dissolved oxygen averaged 9.3 mg/L. Total ammonia nitrogen and nitrite averaged 0.34 and 0.01 mg/L, respectively. By week 8, Biomin® P.E.P. MGE fed fish gained more weight (51.4 ± 1.9 g/fish vs. 37.3 ± 5.1 g/fish) and had a higher SGR (1.8 ± 0.1 vs. 1.5 ± 0.1) compared to controls (P < 0.03). By the end of the study, Biomin® P.E.P. MGE fed fish gained more weight (76.9 ± 2.0 g/fish vs. 53.4 ± 3.2 g/fish) and had a higher SGR (1.5 ± 0.1 vs. 1.3 ± 0.1) compared to controls (P < 0.001). In addition, Biomin® P.E.P. MGE fed fish consumed more feed (104.3 ± 3.6 g/fish vs. 79.6 ± 3.0 g/fish). FCR and survival were not different between treatments at either 8 or 12 weeks. The results show that fish fed Biomin® P.E.P. MGE consumed more feed and gained more weight. The addition of Biomin® P.E.P. MGE to catfish diets may prove beneficial in improving palatability of feed as well as improving growth of channel catfish.