Effects of Co‐stocking Smallmouth Buffalo,Ictiobus bubalus,with Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus

Proliferative gill disease (PGD) in catfish is caused by the myxozoan Henneguya ictaluri. The complex life cycle requires Dero digitata as the oligochaete host. Efforts to control PGD by eradicating D. digitata have been unsuccessful. Smallmouth buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus, (SMB) are opportunistic bottom feeders and a putative option for controlling D. digitata. In 2011, 15 ponds (0.4 ha) were stocked with 5000 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus; 7 of these 15 ponds were also stocked with 300 SMB fingerlings. There were no differences in benthic invertebrate numbers or water quality variables between ponds with or without SMB. At harvest, there were no differences in percent survival, total weight, or catfish feed conversion ratio. In the second year, 18 ponds (0.4 ha) were stocked with 6000 channel catfish. Half the ponds were also stocked with 300 SMB. Sentinel fish were used to estimate disease severity, and pond water was collected for molecular estimation of H. ictaluri actinospore concentrations. Similar to the first year, there were no differences between treatments in any variable tested, including PGD severity in sentinel fish and parasite concentrations in pond water. Under these study conditions, presence of SMB did not have a measureable effect on PGD incidence, parasite density, or overall catfish production.     

Pond‐raised Hybrid Catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus,Do Not Respond to Microbial Phytase Superdosing

Two experiments were conducted in consecutive years to evaluate the responses of hybrid catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus, to “superdosing” of 6‐phytase added to existing commercial catfish feeds. In each experiment, two diets with or without a phytase superdose (2500 and 5000 phytase units/kg, respectively) were compared. In Experiment 1, fingerlings (mean weight: 59 g/fish) were stocked in 17 0.4‐ha earthen ponds at 17,290 fish/ha and were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 198 d. In Experiment 2, fingerlings (mean weight: 47 g/fish) were stocked in 10 0.4‐ha ponds at 24,710 fish/ha and were fed for 128 d. In both experiments, there were no significant differences in total feed fed, gross yield, final fish weight, survival, or Blood packed cell volume between fish fed diets with or without phytase. The diets also had no significant effects on pond water column total phosphorus or chlorophyll a concentrations, but soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations were significantly higher in ponds receiving the phytase diet in Experiment 2. Phytase superdosing of nutritionally complete feeds does not appear to have additional benefits beyond the standard phytase dose on production characteristics or packed cell volume of pond‐raised hybrid catfish and had no beneficial effects on water quality.     

Effects of Feeding Diets with and without Fish Meal on Production of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Stocked at Varying Densities

ABSTRACT

Animal protein, generally fish meal, has traditionally been used in the diet of channel catfish. However, our previous research indicates that animal protein is not needed for growing stocker-size catfish to food fish when the fish are stocked at densities typical of those used in commercial catfish culture. Whether this holds when fish are stocked at high densities is not known; thus, we conducted an experiment to evaluate the effect of feeding diets with and without fish meal to channel catfish stocked in earthen ponds at different densities. Two 32% protein-practical diets containing 0% or 6% menhaden fish meal were compared for pond-raised channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, stocked at densities of 14,820, 29,640, or 44,460 fish/ha. Fingerling channel catfish with average initial weight of 48 g/fish were stocked into 30 0.04-ha ponds. Five ponds were randomly allotted for each fish meal level?×?stocking density combination. Fish were fed once daily to satiation for two growing seasons. There was a significant interaction between stocking density and fish meal for net production; net production increased in fish fed a diet containing fish meal compared with those fed an all-plant diet at the highest stocking density, but not at the two lower stocking densities. Net production of fish fed diets with and without fish meal increased as stocking density increased. Viewing the main effect means, weight gain decreased and feed conversion ratio increased for fish stocked at the two highest densities, and survival was significantly lower at the highest stocking density. Visceral fat decreased in fish at the two highest stocking densities. Body composition data were largely unaffected by experimental treatment except for a reduction in percentage filet fat in fish at the highest stocking density, and fish that were fed diets containing fish meal had a lower percentage fillet protein and a higher percentage fillet fat. It appears that at stocking densities two to three times higher than generally used, animal protein (fish meal) may be beneficial in the diet of channel catfish. In regard to stocking densities, high stocking results in higher overall production, but the average fish size decreased as stocking density increased.     

Effect of Multiple-batch Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Stocking Density and Feeding Rate on Water Quality, Production Characteristics, and Costs

To quantitatively define relationships among stocking densities, feeding rates, water quality, and production costs for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, grown in multiple‐batch systems, twelve 0.1‐ha earthen ponds were stocked at 8,600, 17,300, 26,000, or 34,600 fingerlings/ha along with 2,268 kg/ha of carryover fish. Fish in all ponds were fed daily to apparent satiation using 32% protein floating feed. Temperature and dissolved oxygen in each pond were monitored twice daily; pH weekly; nitrite‐N, total ammonia nitrogen, and Secchi disk visibility every 2 wk; nitrate‐N, chlorophyll a, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand monthly; and chloride every other month. The costs of producing channel catfish at different stocking densities were estimated. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) as a result of stocking density among treatment means of (1) gross or net yields, (2) mean weights at harvest, and (3) growth or survival of fingerlings (24–36%) and carryover fish (77–94%). Mean and maximum daily feeding rates ranged from 40 to 53 kg/ha/d and 123 to 188 kg/ha/d, respectively, and feed conversion ratios averaged 1.75. There were no differences in any feed‐related parameter as a result of density. Water quality variables showed few differences among densities at samplings and no differences when averaged across the production season. Yield of fingerlings increased as stocking density increased with significant differences between the two highest and the two lowest stocking densities. Breakeven prices were lower at the higher stocking densities as a result of the higher yield of understocked fish and similar mean individual fish weights produced at these higher stocking densities. Overall, varying stocking densities of fingerlings in multiple‐batch systems had little effect on production efficiency and water quality. Additional research on managing the population structure of carryover fish in commercial catfish ponds may be warranted.     

Temporary Sequestration of Fingerling Channel Catfish in Cages as a Means to Improve Production of Multiple-Crop Ponds

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to determine if temporary sequestration of fingerling channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in cages improves production of multiple-crop ponds. In the first study, 0.04-ha ponds were stocked with 295 large (mean weight = 566 g) and 780 fingerling (mean weight = 21 g) catfish. Fingerlings were stocked into cages or open ponds. At 120 days after stocking, fish in cages were released. After an additional 40 days, ponds were clean-harvested to remove large (>500 g) and small (<500 g) fish. In the second study, ponds (0.08-ha) were stocked with 750 large (mean weight = 46 g) and 750 small (mean weight = 20 g) fingerling catfish. Small fingerlings were stocked into cages or open ponds. At 60 days after stocking, fish in cages were released. Market-ready fish were selectively harvested at five and nine months after stocking. Results from the first study indicated that individual weight, weight gain, and yield of both size classes of fish raised in sequestered ponds were significantly greater (P< 0.05) than that of fish raised in open ponds. In addition, total weight gain and yield of fish in sequestered ponds was significantly greater (P< 0.05) than those in non-sequestered ponds. Results from the second study indicated that a significantly greater (P< 0.05) number of market-ready fish were harvested from sequestered ponds than from non-sequestered ponds. Mean yield of sequestered ponds was 31% greater than that of non-sequestered ponds; however, differences were not significant (P> 0.05). Amount of feed fed to fish raised in sequestered ponds was significantly greater (P< 0.05) than amount of feed fed to fish raised in non-sequestered ponds in both studies. It is unclear which factor or factors were responsible for the enhanced production of sequestered ponds; however, temporary sequestration may reduce agonistic behavior and competition for feed between fish size groups.     

Effects of Short-Term Feed Withdrawal on Water Quality in Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Ponds

The efficacy of short-term feed withdrawal as a method of reducing ammonia concentrations in catfish production ponds was investigated. Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, fingerlings averaging 35 g were stocked at 9,880 fish/ha into six 0.04-ha ponds and fed twice daily to satiation for 131 days. For a 9-day period immediately prior to harvest (days 132-140), feeding of fish in three ponds was terminated, while feeding of fish in three other ponds was continued. Total ammonia-nitrogen concentrations were not significantly reduced (P > 0.05) in unfed ponds until 9 days after feeding was terminated. However, after 7 days without feed, un-ionized ammonia concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in ponds where fish were not fed, due to significantly higher (P < 0.05) pH levels. Short-term (9 days) feed withdrawal had little effect on lowering total ammonia and actually increased concentrations of toxic un-ionized ammonia in ponds.     

The Effect of Varying Biomass of Carryover Fish in Multiple‐batch Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Pond Production

The presence of carryover (fish >350 g stocked the previous year but not yet market size) channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in multiple‐batch production ponds has been shown to affect overall production performance and costs. However, little attention has been paid to effects of varying biomasses of carryover fish in ponds. Twelve 0.1‐ha earthen ponds were stocked March 20, 2007, with 15,000 catfish fingerlings per ha (mean weight 31 g), and carryover fish at either 726, 1460, or 2187 kg/ha (mean weight 408 g, range 204–703 g) to compare the effect of three different biomasses of carryover catfish on the production performance of understocked fingerlings. Gross and net yields increased with increasing biomass of carryover fish. Growth and mean weight at harvest of fingerlings were significantly greater at the lowest biomass of carryover fish (<1460 kg/ha), but there was no difference between the medium and high carryover density treatments. Net returns were highest with the highest biomass of carryover fish, but fell by $688/ha in Year 2 because of slower growth of fingerlings in Year 1.     

POLYCULTURE OF CHANNEL CATFISH (Ictalurus punctatus) WITH ALL-MALE TILAPIA HYBRID

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) (x? = 0.8 g) and all-male hybrid tilapia fingerlings (Sarotherodon mossambica ♂ × S. hornorum ♀) (x? = 35.0 g) were stocked in 0.04 ha replicated ponds in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in March and July 1981, respectively. The ponds were stocked at densities of 11,110 catfish per ha, 11,110 catfish with 5,550 tilapia per ha, 7,400 catfish per ha, and 7,400 catfish with 3,700 tilapia per ha. The fish were fed daily at 4% of estimated catfish biomass and were harvested in November 1981. There were no differences in dissolved oxygen or water temperature among the four culture systems (P > 0.05). The presence of tilapia, however, significantly increased water turbidity, pH and chlorophyll a concentrations (P < 0.05). Tilapia did not improve water quality and may have deteriorated it. Tilapia did not affect channel catfish growth or production (P > 0.05), but the presence of tilapia did significantly increase total fish yield (P < 0.05) by 13.5 and 32.2% at low and high catfish densities, respectively. Channel catfish and tilapia averaged 390 and 245 g at harvest, respectively. Overall catfish survival averaged 61%. Tilapia survival was 72% and 61% at low and high densities, respectively.     

Response of Pond‐raised Fingerling Hybrid Catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus,to Dietary Protein Concentrations and Sources

This study examined four experimental diets with different protein concentrations and sources for pond‐raised fingerling hybrid catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus. A 35% protein diet with fishmeal was used as the control diet. Test diets were 32 and 28% all‐plant‐protein diets and a 28% protein diet with porcine meat, bone, and blood meal. Small fingerlings with a mean initial weight of 2.9 g/fish were stocked into 20 earthen ponds (0.04 ha) at a density of 172,970 fish/ha. They were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 107 d. No significant differences were observed for total diet fed, gross yield, final weight, survival, or condition factor among dietary treatments. However, fish fed the 28 and 32% all‐plant‐protein diets had a significantly higher feed conversion ratio than fish fed the 35% protein diet with fishmeal. There were no significant differences in chlorophyll a and nitrite concentrations in the pond water, but ponds receiving the 35% protein diet had significantly higher ammonia than those receiving 28% protein diets. Economic analysis suggested potential cost savings by using low‐protein and all‐plant‐protein diets for hybrid catfish fingerling production.     

Effect of Dietary Protein Concentration and Stocking Density on Production Characteristics of Pond-Raised Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

Diets containing 28% and 32% crude protein were compared for pond‐raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus stocked at densities of 14,820, 29,640, or 44,460 fish/ha. Fingerling channel catfish with average initial weight of 48.5 g/fish were stocked into 30 0.04‐ha ponds. Five ponds were randomly allotted for each dietary protein ± stocking density combination. Fish were fed once daily to satiation for two growing seasons. There were no interactions between dietary protein concentration and stocking density for any variables. Dietary protein concentrations (28% or 32%) did not affect net production, feed consumption and weight gain per fish, feed conversion ratio, survival, processing yields, fillet moisture, protein and ash concentrations, or pond water ammonia and nitrite concentrations. Fish fed the 32% protein diet had slightly but significantly lower levels of visceral and fillet fat than fish fed the 28% protein diet. As stocking density increased, net production increased, while weight gain of individual fish, feed efficiency, and survival decreased. Stocking densities did not affect processing yield and fillet composition of the fish. Although highly variable among different ponds and weekly measurements, ponds stocked at the highest density exhibited higher average levels of total ammonia‐nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite‐nitrogen (NO₂‐N) than ponds stocked at lower densities. However, stocking density had no significant effect on un‐ionized ammonia‐nitrogen (NH₃‐N) concentrations, calculated based on water temperature, pH, and TAN. By comparing to the reported critical concentration, a threshold below which is considered not harmful to the fish, these potentially toxic nitrogenous compounds in the pond water were generally in the range acceptable for channel catfish. It appears that a 28% protein diet can provide equivalent net production, feed efficiency, and processing yields as a 32% protein diet for channel catfish raised in ponds from advanced fingerlings to marketable size at densities varying from 14,820 to 44,460 fish/ha under single‐batch cropping systems. Optimum dietary protein concentration for pond‐raised channel catfish does not appear to be affected by stocking density.     

Growth, Yield, Dressout, and Net Returns of Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Stocked at Three Densities in Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Ponds

Abstract— Alternative fish species that can be cultured together with catfish Ictalurus punctatus provide an opportunity to diversify caffish farms. A 2-yr study was conducted in 0.10-ha earthen ponds to evaluate the effect of bighead carp (BHC) stocking density on growth, yield, dressout yield, and net returns. Initially, bighead carp (average weight of 22 g) were stocked at rates of 380, 750, or 1,130 fishha in ponds with catfish. Caffish were cultured under commercial conditions by stocking caffish at a density of 12,500/ha, aerating nightly and feeding at an average rate of 82 kgha per d. Stocking rates for 2-yr-old fish were reduced to 77, 260, and 435/ha in the second growing season. There were no significant differences among treatments ( P > 0.05) in summer growth of bighead carp in either year. Bighead carp stocked at 1,130 fishha had significantly higher yields than those stocked at 380/ha, but did not reach minimum market size of 2.2 kg during the first year ( P > 0.05). There were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) in caffish growth, yield, survival, or feed conversion ratios due to the bighead carp stocking densities. Partial budget analysis indicated that net benefits were positive for all three treatments over a range of prevailing prices of bighead carp. Bighead carp production in catfish ponds is economically feasible over a wide range of prices. Given the market risk of producing smaller fish at the higher density, the medium density is the preferred stocking density of fingerling bighead carp in catfish ponds.     

Evaluation of a Confinement System for Growout of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

Rising costs of inputs have created a need to improve catfish production efficiencies. An inexpensive confinement system was evaluated for channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus foodfish production. Barriers were constructed in five 0.1-ha earthen ponds to partition ponds into 1/3 and 2/3 sections. Large fingerling (136 g) catfish were stocked at 11,115 fish/ha in the smaller 1/3 section (shallow end) of the confinement ponds or in open ponds (control). Seining efficiency was significantly greater for the confinement system. Yield and daily growth of food fish were significantly lower and feed conversion ratio higher in the confinement system compared to open ponds. Partial budget analysis showed a net loss of –$313/ha. Additional work is needed to develop inexpensive production systems to capture efficiencies of confinement without decreasing production.     

Physical and chemical characteristics of sediments in catfish, freshwater prawn and carp ponds in Thailand

Sediment samples were collected from 42 catfish (Clarias hybrid) ponds, 40 freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) ponds and 18 carp (Puntius spp.) ponds in Thailand. Regression analysis revealed that pond age (1–30 years) was not a major factor influencing the physical and chemical composition of pond sediments. Sediment depth, F+S horizon thickness and bulk density of S horizon were greater (P<0.05) in carp ponds than in catfish and prawn ponds. This occurred because sediment was removed from catfish and prawn ponds more frequently than from carp ponds. Total carbon, organic carbon and total nitrogen concentrations were greater (P<0.05) in carp ponds than prawn and catfish ponds. Few ponds had sediment organic carbon concentrations above 3%, and carbon:nitrogen ratio values did not differ (P>0.05) among ponds for the three species. Total phosphorus and other sediment phosphorus fractions increased in the order prawn ponds, carp ponds and catfish ponds. Sediment sulphur concentrations also increased in the same order. There were no differences in major or minor nutrient concentrations in sediment that would influence aquacultural production. Although there were significant correlations (P<0.05) between various sediment quality variables, no single variable or group of variables would be useful in estimating sediment quality. Pond bottom management practices used by producers in Thailand included drying of pond bottoms between crops, liming, tilling and periodic sediment removal. These practices have maintained relatively good bottom quality. They should be continued in Thailand and adopted in other places.     

Evaluation of Low‐protein Alternative Diets for Pond‐raised Hybrid Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus × Ictalurus furcatus

A study was conducted to evaluate low‐protein traditional or alternative diets for pond‐raised hybrid catfish, Ictalurus punctatus × Ictalurus furcatus. Three 24% protein diets containing decreasing levels of soybean meal (30, 20, and 15%) and increasing levels of cottonseed meal and corn germ meal were compared with a 28% protein control diet. Hybrid catfish fingerlings (mean initial weight = 71 g/fish) were stocked into 20 earthen ponds (0.04 ha) at a density of 14,826 fish/ha with five ponds per dietary treatment. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for a 191‐d growing season. There were no significant differences in total diet fed, net yield, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival, or fillet proximate nutrient composition among dietary treatments (P ≥ 0.10). However, regression analysis showed for fish fed 24% protein diets there was a linear increase in FCR as soybean meal levels decreased (P = 0.06). Compared with fish fed the 28% protein control diet, fish fed 24% protein diets had lower carcass and fillet yield. Results demonstrate a 24% protein alternative diet containing 20% soybean meal may be substituted for 28% protein diets for hybrid catfish during food fish production.     

Production Characteristics of PanSize Channel Catfish in Cages and Open Ponds1

Production characteristics of pan-size (approximately 227 g) channel catfish (Ictalurus puncturus) were determined in cages and open ponds stocked with fingerlings to densities of 20,000 and 12,500 fish/ha. After 145 days, mean fish weight in all treatments exceeded 227 g. Mean survival was similar in all treatments. Food conversion ratios were significantly better in ponds than in cages but density did not affect the ratios. Neither density nor production system affected production (as measured by total weight produced) when initial density differences were considered (analysis of covariance). Variability in total length at harvest was similar between production systems; however, low density treatments were less variable than high density treatments. Results of this study indicate that pan-size channel catfish can be cultured efficiently at stocking densities well above the 12,500 fish/ha (5,000 fishlacre) generally used when culturing fish to larger sizes.     

Evaluation of a Barrier Confinement System for Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Production

An in‐pond confinement system to separate channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, by size within a single pond provides an opportunity for improved growth of understocked fish in ponds with larger market‐sized fish. A barrier of polyvinyl chloride–coated galvanized wire mesh was constructed in five 0.10‐ha earthen ponds to partition the pond into one‐third and two‐third sections, while five other 0.10‐ha ponds were left as traditional open ponds for a control. To evaluate catfish performance in this confinement system, fingerlings (25 g) were stocked at 14,820/ha into the smaller one‐third section of the barrier and carryover fish (408 g) at 2580 kg/ha into the larger two‐third section of the barrier. The control ponds were stocked with the same sizes and numbers of fish in a traditional earthen pond without a barrier. Yield, survival, feed conversion ratio (FCR), growth, and economics were compared between treatments. Fingerling yields were greater in the barrier system that allowed fingerlings to be separated physically from larger carryover fish. There were no differences in yield of carryover fish, survival, FCR, or growth between the control and the barrier ponds. Partial budget analysis revealed a positive net change of $367/ha or $38,125 for a 104‐ha catfish farm (at a market price of $1.54/kg of additional stockers produced). The value of the greater weight of understocked fish produced in the barrier system was greater than the annualized cost of installing the barrier, for farmers raising fish in multiple batch. Thus, on an experimental basis, the confinement system was economically profitable; however, trials on commercial farms are needed to evaluate performance on a larger scale.     

Environmental Conditions and Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Production under Similar Pond Management Regimes in Alabama and Mississippi

This study was conducted to compare water quality and channel catfish production in earthen ponds located in two dissimilar physiographic regions of the southeastern United States and supplied with water of disparate quality. Ponds at Auburn, Alabama are on acidic Piedmont soils and filled with poorly mineralized runoff water; ponds at Stoneville, Mississippi are on slightly alkaline alluvial clays and filled with groundwater of high total alkalinity and hardness. Channel catfish were stocked at 8,750 fish/ha, fed daily, and provided nightly aeration in 0.04-ha ponds at both sites. Ponds were managed as similarly as possible. Minimum daily water temperatures and pH were higher at Stoneville than at Auburn, and there were greater concentrations of suspended clay turbidity, dissolved inorganic phosphorus, total ammonia-nitrogen, and nitrite-nitrogen at Auburn than at Stoneville. The taxonomic composition of the phytoplankton community was broadly different between the two sites. Taste tests revealed off-flavor in fish at both sites, but there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in flavor scores between sites. The quality of flavor was somewhat different between sites, and these differences in quality were thought to result from observed differences in the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton communities. All differences in water quality seemed to be directly or indirectly related to the dissimilarity in the quality of the water supply and soils at the two locations. Although some water quality variables differed between sites and changed over time at both sites, environmental conditions never deteriorated enough at either site to cause serious stress or mortality in fish. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in average net fish production, survival, weight of individual fish at harvest, or feed conversion ratios. Average net fish production and feed conversion ratios, respectively, were 4,905 kg/ha and 1.27 at Auburn and 5,286 kg/ha and 1.27 at Stoneville. The results of this study demonstrate the need for site-specific investigations when conducting certain types of aquaculture research.     

Beaver dams shift desert fish assemblages toward dominance by non‐native species (Verde River,Arizona, USA)

The reintroduction of beaver (Castor canadensis) into arid and semi‐arid rivers is receiving increasing management and conservation attention in recent years, yet very little is known about native versus non‐native fish occupancy in beaver pond habitats. Streams of the American Southwest support a highly endemic, highly endangered native fish fauna and abundant non‐native fishes, and here we investigated the hypothesis that beaver ponds in this region may lead to fish assemblages dominated by non‐native species that favour slower‐water habitat. We sampled fish assemblages within beaver ponds and within unimpounded lotic stream reaches in the mainstem and in tributaries of the free‐flowing upper Verde River, Arizona, USA. Non‐native fishes consistently outnumbered native species, and this dominance was greater in pond than in lotic assemblages. Few native species were recorded within ponds. Multivariate analysis indicated that fish assemblages in beaver ponds were distinct from those in lotic reaches, in both mainstem and tributary locations. Individual species driving this distinction included abundant non‐native green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) and western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in pond sites, and native desert sucker (Catostomus clarkii) in lotic sites. Overall, this study provides the first evidence that, relative to unimpounded lotic habitat, beaver ponds in arid and semi‐arid rivers support abundant non‐native fishes; these ponds could thus serve as important non‐native source areas and negatively impact co‐occurring native fish populations.     

Supplemental Phosphorus in Practical Channel Catfish Diets1

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the need for supplemental phosphorus in the diet of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus as well as to compare dicalcium phosphate and defluorinated phosphate as sources of supplemental phosphorus. Fingerling channel catfish were stocked into 0.04-ha earthen ponds at a rate of 1,000 fish/pond (24,700ha). The fish were fed a feed typical of commercial catfish feeds containing 28% protein and 2.8 kcal digestible energy/g once daily to satiation during the growing season (April to October). Fish in experiment 2 were overwintered and fed at a rate of 1% body weight twice weekly when the water temperature exceeded 13 C. The basal diet used in experiments 1 and 2, which contained no supplemental phosphorus, had estimated available phosphorus concentrations of 0.26 and 0.20%, respectively. Dicalcium phosphate was added to provide available phosphorus concentrations of 0.34 and 0.41% for experiment 1, and 0.27 and 0.35% for experiment 2. Diets used in experiment 3 to compare dicalcium and defluorinated phosphates contained 0.40% available phosphorus. Data from experiments 1 and 2 indicated that a concentration of dietary phosphorus of about 0.27% was adequate for maximum weight gain and efficient conversion of feed by channel catfish. However, a concentration of about 0.35% available phosphorus was required for maximum bone mineralization in experiment 2. There were no differences in growth or bone mineralization between fish fed dicalcium or defluorinated phosphate. We conclude that the small increase in bone phosphorus (about 4%) is biologically insignificant, and suggest that 0.3% available phosphorus be adequate for channel catfish raised in earthen ponds. Also, either dicalcium or defluorinated phosphate can be used as a source of supplemental phosphorus in channel catfish diets. However, defluorinated phosphate may be desirable because of its low solubility in water.     

Replacing Soybean Meal with Alternative Protein Sources in Diets for Pond‐raised Hybrid Catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus

The present study investigated the replacement of soybean meal with combinations of two or three alternative protein sources in diets for pond‐raised hybrid catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus. Alternative protein sources evaluated included cottonseed meal, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), peanut meal, and porcine meat and bone meal (PMBM). Hybrid catfish fingerlings with a mean initial weight of 35 g/fish were stocked into 25 earthen ponds (0.04 ha) at a density of 14,826 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 166 d. No significant differences were observed for total diet fed, net yield, weight gain, survival, carcass yield, fillet yield, or fillet proximate composition among dietary treatments. Results show soybean meal may be completely replaced by combinations of cottonseed meal and one or two other alternative protein sources including DDGS, peanut meal, and PMBM in the diet without markedly affecting production and processing characteristics and fillet proximate composition of pond‐raised hybrid catfish. These alternative diets may be used during foodfish production when prices are favorable.