Feeding Rate, Water Quality, and Channel Catfish Production in Ponds

Abstract

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were stocked in ponds at 1,200, 4,300, 8,600, 17,300, 26,000, and 34,600 fish per hectare (486, 1,740, 3,480, 7,000, 10,520, and 14,000 fish per acre), and maximum daily feeding rates of 0, 28, 56, 84, 112, 168, and 224 kg/hectare (0. 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200 lb/acre), respectively, were established. Aeration was applied at 6.1 kW/hectare (3.3 horsepower/acre) when dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations were expected to fall below 2 mg/L. Strong correlations were obtained between feeding rates (X) and concentrations (Y) of DO at dawn, chlorophyll a, chemical oxygen demand, carbon dioxide, and total ammonia nitrogen. The correlation for DO was negative. Net fish production was correlated with feeding rates up to a maximum daily feeding rate of 112 kg/hectare (100 lb/acre). Feed conversion ratios were essentially constant up to a maximum feeding rate of 112 kg/hectare (100 lb/acre). At higher feeding rates, feed conversion ratios increased and fish production declined. Little aeration was required at feeding rates of 56 kg/hectare (50 lb/acre) or less; aeration was applied almost constantly at night in ponds with maximum daily feeding rates of 112 kg/hectare (100 lb/acre) and above.