Low-Intensity, Stocker-Based Channel Catfish Culture

Low-intensity production of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus is characterized by low stocking rates, low installed aeration capacity, and no automated dissolved oxygen monitoring. Two studies conducted in nine 0.25-acre ponds quantified production characteristics of stocker Channel Catfish stocked for low-intensity food-fish production in single- or multiple-batch culture. In the multiple-batch study, 0.5-lb stockers (carryover fish) were stocked at 4,500 fish/acre and 0.044-lb fingerlings at 6,000 fish/acre. Stockers were grown to mean individual weights of 1.25, 1.75, or 2.25 lb. In the single-batch study, 0.5-lb stockers were stocked at 3,500, 4,500, and 5,500 fish/acre. All fish were fed a feed containing 32% protein daily to apparent satiation. Ponds were harvested in October and fish were weighed. Growth of carryover fish and understock (fingerlings) in multiple-batch culture was linear and growth-curve slopes did not differ significantly. Carryover fish size-class distributions differed significantly among target weights and progressively shifted towards larger size-classes as target weight increased. Stocking rate affected Channel Catfish growth and yield significantly in single-batch culture. Fish stocked at 3,500 fish/acre grew faster than fish at the higher stocking rates. Mean final weight decreased linearly and gross and net yields increased linearly with increased stocking rate. Size-class distributions differed significantly among stocking rates, and the 3,500-fish/acre size-class distribution was shifted towards larger fish compared with those at the other two stocking rates. By early to mid-July, ponds stocked in the spring with 0.5-lb stockers contained biomasses of market-size fish suitable for partial harvest, and at least 22% of the carryover fish exceeded the lower size limit for the processing plant. If fish larger than 1.5 lb are desired, the data indicated partial harvest should be delayed until August. None of the fish harvested exceeded the processors’ preferred size ranges (1.25–4.00 lb/fish). In summary, larger Channel Catfish can be produced successfully using low-intensity, single- or multiple-batch culture