Effect of lipid supplementation on reproductive performance of female channel catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,induced and strip‐spawned for hybridization

The influence of different lipid sources and n3:n6 ratios on reproductive performance of female channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus was evaluated. A commercial catfish feed was top coated with 2% oil and offered to brood stock females fish during 70–85 days before spawning season. Four dietary treatments were formulated using the following top coating ratios: diet 1, soybean oil 9.5 g kg^?1 and linseed oil 10.5 g kg^?1; diet 2, soybean oil 17.5 g kg^?1 and linseed oil 2.5 g kg^?1; diet 3, 20.0 g kg^?1 linseed oil, and diet 4, 10.0 g kg^?1 menhaden fish oil, supplemented with 5.0 g kg^?1 arachidonic acid (ARA), and 5.0 g kg^?1 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Fatty acid composition of the eggs reflected the effect of dietary treatment offered during spring season. Supplementation of ARA, EPA and DHA in commercial catfish feed in the form of menhaden fish oil with purified liquid algae extracts of ARA and DHA produced from two to five times the number of fry per female body weight when compared to the effect of fed top coated with vegetable oils. Although, this effect was not statistically significant it may represent an economical improvement for the industry.