Production Of Channel Catfish Ictalurus Punctatus In Tertiary Treatment Ponds

Author : Len Michael Kring
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 212 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (627 download)

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Download or read book Channel Catfish Culture in Midwestern Plastic-lined Ponds written by Len Michael Kring and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 2000, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources began using 10 0.4-ha and six 0.04-ha plastic-lined ponds at the Rathbun Fish Hatchery and Research Facility (Moravia, Iowa) to culture game fish that are subsequently stocked into public waters. During the first 3 years of use, inconsistent growth and survival of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were evident. Two separate studies were composed to better understand the culture of channel catfish in these ponds. The effects of stocking density was investigated in the 0.4-ha production ponds. In 2003, stocking densities were 75,000 and 112,000 fish/ha. No significant differences were seen in catfish production; although fish in the lower treatment were slightly larger. The only significant difference with regard to water quality was that the ponds stocked with 112,000 fish/ha had higher concentrations of total phosphorus. In 2004, the same ponds were stocked at rates of 38,000 and 75,000 fish/ha. The fish in the lower treatment exhibited significantly higher specific growth and normalized biomass. These fish were also significantly longer and heavier at harvest. Ponds stocked at a rate of 75,000 fish/ha had significantly higher concentrations of on ammonia, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a. In 2004, the six 0.04-ha plastic-lined ponds were used in conjunction with six 0.08-ha earthen ponds located at the Iowa State University Horticulture Station (Ames, Iowa), to assess the effects of dietary protein percent on the production of channel catfish. Plastic-lined ponds that received the 28% protein feed exhibited significantly higher levels of total phosphorus and turbidity. Earthen ponds that received the 36% protein feed displayed significantly higher concentrations of ammonia and chlorophyll a. Fish fed the 36% protein diet in the plastic-lined ponds had significantly higher relative weights (W[Subscript r]) then fish fed the 28% protein diet. There was a significant difference in harvest lengths and weights in the earthen, with the fish fed the 36% protein feed being longer. A stocking density between 38,000 and 75,000 fish/ha should be used to culture channel catfish fingerlings in plastic-lined ponds in Iowa, with fish being fed a feed that contains over 28% protein.