HYBRID CATFISH Ictaluras punctatus x Ictaluras furcatus RAISED AT HIGH DENSITY WITH INTENSIVE AERATION IN A TRADITIONAL CLAY-BOTTOM CATFISH POND

Channel catfish have been raised by traditional means in clay-bottom ponds for decades and produced yields up to 13,440 kg/ha, although in Arkansas a yield of 7,840 kg/ha is considered average. In recent years, the split-pond system has increased yields to 28,000 kg/ha. These systems often use hybrid catfish. Elsewhere, channel catfish raised in high-aeration cement-bottom ponds have attained yields greater than 155,000 kg/ha. Can intense aeration in a clay pond approach yields found in cement-bottom ponds? This pilot study was performed in a 0.04 ha pond initially stocked with 200 kg of hybrid catfish. Growth was simulated by weekly addition of fish to the pond, in addition to feeding.

The trial began on May 6 and ended October 18, 2016 (165 days). The goal was to accumulate biomass until the pond could no longer support additional inputs. Maximum water quality levels are shown in the table below. Chloride level was maintained at 0.5 ppt. Dissolved oxygen minimum, outside of feeding, was 4 ppm with 99 hp/ha aeration. Our model predicted a harvest of 5432 kg and the actual harvest was 5746 kg (143,650 kg/ha). Calculated FCR was 1.93. This information will be used to develop further studies and set goals for catfish pond potential yields in both intensive aeration and split ponds.