EVALUATION OF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR RAISING CHANNEL CATFISH FINGERLINGS

Herbert E. Quintero*, Anita M. Kelly, Luke A. Roy
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR
 quinteroh@uapb.edu
 

There is little research-based information on the survival, growth, yield, costs and risk associated with on-farm production of fingerling channel catfish. This study is an attempt to provide experimental data that allows the standardization of production methods for channel catfish fingerlings using different production systems. Intensively aerated ponds and split pond systems have been demonstrated as a means to increase production in the catfish industry compared to traditional level pond culture techniques but to our knowledge those systems have not been evaluated in fingerling production.  

Three production systems are being evaluated for raising channel catfish fingerlings, which include: traditional earthen ponds, high aeration earthen ponds, and split pond system. Three replicates were used for each treatment, for a total of nine 0.1 acre ponds. Ponds were stocked with 80,000 fingerlings per acre, and fish were cultured for  90-days. Fish were fed twice per day, using a high quality protein feed (50% crude protein, 17% crude fat). Water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH were recorded twice per day; ammonia, nitrites, and chlorides were monitored twice per week. Growth was evaluated every other week by sampling all ponds. Survival, growth, yield, and costs of raising channel catfish fingerlings in traditional ponds, heavy aeration ponds and split ponds will be discussed.