INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO REDUCING INDIVIDUAL VARIABILITY AND PROVIDING YEAR ROUND HARVEST OF CHANNEL-BLUE HYBRID CATFISH  

The effects of stocking density, culture system (traditional ponds, split ponds, single batch, multi-batch), aeration, fingerling variation, grading system at harvest and genetics on body weight variability of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, female X blue catfish, I. furcatus,male hybrids was examined in commercial settings. Data collection and analysis is ongoing, however, certain trends may be developing. Body weight variability appears similar to that of channel catfish that was reported in earlier studies. Stocking density and culture system does not appear to have an impact on variability, except when stocking density is extremely high and couple with other factors. Increase aeration and use of bar grading in the sorting sock reduces size variability, whereas, stocking of different sized fingerlings over a short period of time increases size variability. Genetics affected body weight uniformity, and a sire effect on body weight uniformity existed. Although apparent differences are emerging, the coefficient of variation for body weight is in the expected range of 30-48.