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.     

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.     

Efficacy of Crystalline Lysine in Alternative Diets for Pond‐raised Hybrid Catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus

A study was conducted to examine the efficacy of crystalline lysine in alternative diets for pond‐raised hybrid catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus. Two 28% protein alternative diets supplemented with l ‐lysine HCl at the required level based on 62% (previously published value) or 100% lysine availability were compared with a traditional 28% protein control diet. Hybrid catfish fingerlings (mean initial weight = 43 g/fish) were stocked into 15 earthen ponds (0.04 ha) at a density of 14,826 fish/ha with five ponds per treatment. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for a 173‐d growing season. There were no significant differences in total diet fed, net yield, weight gain, and survival among dietary treatments. There were also no significant differences in carcass yield, fillet yield, and fillet proximate composition and fillet lysine concentration among treatments. Fish fed the traditional control diet had slightly, but significantly, lower feed conversion ratio than fish fed alternative diets, which is likely related to higher dietary fiber levels in the alternative diets. Results from this study show that crystalline lysine can be considered 100% available when used to supplement lysine‐deficient diets for pond‐raised hybrid catfish.     

Emergence of Edwardsiella piscicida in Farmed Channel ♀, Ictalurus punctatus × Blue ♂, Ictalurus furcatus,Hybrid Catfish Cultured in Mississippi

There is a trend toward the increased incidence and prevalence of Edwardsiella piscicida septicemia in US catfish aquaculture, particularly in channel ♀, Ictalurus punctatus, × blue ♂, I. furcatus, hybrid catfish. From 2013 to 2017, a total of 3242 disease case submissions were made to the Aquatic Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ARDL) at the Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center in Stoneville, MS. Of these, 1400 (43.2%) were hybrids. E. piscicida was suspected in 138 (4.3%) of cases, the majority of which (89.1%) were from hybrid catfish. A molecular survey of these isolates confirmed the majority (92.0%) to be E. piscicida. Furthermore, cases of E. piscicida from hybrids submitted to the ARDL and the Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Starkville, MS, were documented for gross lesions and histological analysis. Grossly, E. piscicida presents with small dermal ulcerations, a raised fluid‐filled cranial midline lesion that is frequently ulcerated, hemorrhage in the gills, exophthalmia, and abdominal distension. Internally, lesions include splenomegaly, straw‐colored ascites, renomegaly, and occasionally hemorrhagic intestines. Histopathological examination is in agreement with gross observations, and infected fish repeatedly demonstrate a mononuclear meningoencephalitis, hemorrhagic branchitis, splenitis, ulcerative dermatitis, granulomatous interstitial nephritis, and hepatitis coupled with a hemorrhagic enteritis.     

Comparative Susceptibility of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus; Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus; and Channel (♀) × Blue (♂) Hybrid Catfish to Edwardsiella piscicida,Edwardsiella tarda,and Edwardsiella anguillarum

Members of the genus Edwardsiella are important pathogens of cultured and wild fish globally. Recent investigations into the phenotypic and genotypic variation of Edwardsiella tarda have led to the segregation of E. tarda into three distinct taxa: E. tarda, Edwardsiella piscicida, and Edwardsiella anguillarum. In catfish aquaculture in the southeastern USA, E. piscicida has been more commonly associated with disease than E. tarda or E. anguillarum, and recent research has demonstrated E. piscicida to be more pathogenic in channel catfish than E. tarda or E. anguillarum. Anecdotal reports from industry suggest an increased prevalence of E. piscicida associated with the culture of channel (♀) × blue (♂) hybrid catfish. This work investigated the comparative susceptibility of channel catfish, blue catfish, and their hybrid cross to molecularly confirmed isolates of E. tarda, E. piscicida, and E. anguillarum. There was significantly higher mortality in hybrid catfish compared to channel catfish following intracoelomic injection of E. piscicida. To our knowledge, E. piscicida is the first bacterial pathogen to demonstrate increased pathogenicity in hybrid catfish compared to channel catfish.     

Effects of Calcium and Magnesium Hardness of Incubation Waters on the Hatching Success of Hybrid Eggs of ♀ Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus

Hatching efficiency is generally lower in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus × blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, hybrid catfish hatcheries compared to hatcheries hatching pond‐spawned channel catfish eggs. Egg quality and hatching water hardness are known variables influencing the efficiency of hybrid catfish fry production in hatcheries. Previous research recommended that at least 60 mg/L hardness had to be contributed only by calcium to optimize the hatching success of hybrid catfish eggs. However, whether the effect of waterborne magnesium in hatching waters facilitates or impedes the hatching success of hybrid catfish is not known. Two trials were conducted to determine the effects of calcium alone or magnesium hardness, in combination with the hatching success of hybrid catfish eggs. Trial 1 showed that if the previously identified minimum hardness criterion of 60 mg/L was met by calcium in the hatching waters, added magnesium had no effect on the hatching success of hybrid catfish eggs. Trial 2 showed that the previously identified minimum hardness of 60 mg/L can be met by either calcium alone or magnesium replacing up to 50% of the total hardness in the hatchery waters for optimal hatching success of hybrid catfish eggs. Calcium provides a specific requirement during embryonic development of catfish. The results from this study can be used to design treatment processes for hatchery water supplies to improve efficiency of hybrid catfish fry production in hatcheries.     

Costs of Winter Feeding of Channel‐blue (♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus) Hybrid Catfish

Previous research has shown that winter feeding is beneficial in preventing weight loss and maintaining catfish health. Although several studies suggest the importance of winter feeding of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, less is known about optimal winter feeding strategies for channel‐blue hybrid catfish (♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus). Three winter feeding treatments (unfed, fed daily, and fed based on temperature‐threshold feeding) were each assigned randomly to four replicate 0.10‐ha earthen ponds. All ponds were stocked with large channel‐blue hybrid catfish (0.96 ± 0.40 kg) at the rate of 3409 kg/ha and fed using a slow‐sink 28% protein pelleted feed. The two feeding treatments showed significantly greater mean weight at harvest, gross yield, and growth rates than the unfed fish after the 113‐d winter trial. Partial budget analysis indicated that additional costs incurred from the additional feed, fuel, and labor costs over the winter in fed treatments offset the additional revenue from daily winter feeding. However, in the temperature‐threshold feeding treatment, additional costs were similar to additional revenues when 10‐yr average prices were used. Results were sensitive to feed prices and spring catfish prices with positive net benefits from winter feeding at fish prices above $1.58/kg and feed prices below $0.286/kg.     

Water Quality and Plankton Communities in Hybrid Catfish (♀ Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus) Ponds After Partial Fish Harvest

Twelve 0.4‐ha ponds were stocked with 10,000 hybrid catfish fingerlings in March 2015. Six ponds were partially harvested in August to remove fish larger than ～0.57 kg. All remaining fish were removed in October and November. Partial harvest of faster‐growing fish removed ～26% of the fish initially stocked; feeding rate (and therefore external nutrient loading) was reduced by about the same amount. However, reduced nutrient loading after partial fish harvest had no meaningful effects on water quality, phytoplankton biomass, phytoplankton and zooplankton community structure, or supplemental aeration. Lack of ecosystem change was caused by persistent internal recycling of nutrients added to the system before partial harvest and continued high (albeit reduced) external nutrient loading after partial harvest. Decisions to employ partial fish harvest to manage single‐cropped hybrid catfish ponds should be based on economic considerations and risk reduction rather than the expectation that fish biomass reduction will improve water quality.     

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.     

Foodfish Production Strategies Using 13‐cm and 19‐cm Hybrid Catfish, ♀Ictalurus punctatus × ♂Ictalurus furcatus

Most hybrid catfish, ♀Ictalurus punctatus × ♂Ictalurus furcatus, producers stock 18‐ to 19‐cm fingerlings in single‐batch production. While stocking smaller fingerlings would be less expensive, the economic trade‐offs of using smaller fingerlings is unknown. Two sizes of hybrid catfish fingerlings (13‐cm and 19‐cm) were stocked in single‐size treatments at 9884 head/ha and a multi‐size treatment with each size stocked at 9884 head/ha (total 19,768 head/ha). In the 13‐cm and 19‐cm single‐size treatments, 87 and 98%, respectively, reached market size in one season. In the multi‐size treatment, 77% of all fish stocked reached market size, demonstrating that more than half of the 13‐cm fish reached market size in this treatment. Gross, net, and marketable yields were significantly greater in the multi‐size treatment when compared to the 13‐cm or 19‐cm single‐size treatments, but were not significantly different between the two single‐size treatments. The 19‐cm single‐size treatment resulted in greater break‐even prices and economic risk than the other two treatments. This study demonstrated that 13‐cm hybrid catfish fingerlings can be raised economically in both single‐ and multi‐size production systems in the southern USA.     

Effect of Dietary Protein Concentration on Growth and Processing Yield of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus Raised from Advanced Fingerlings to Large Marketable Size

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of dietary protein concentration (26, 28, and 32%) and an all-plant protein diet (28% protein) on growth, feed efficiency, processing yield, and body composition of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus raised from advanced fingerlings to large marketable size (about 800 to 900 g/fish) for two growing seasons. Fingerling channel catfish (average weight = 56 g/fish) were stocked into twenty 0.04-ha ponds at a density of 18,525 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily to satiation during the two growing seasons and fed according to recommended winter feeding schedules during the winter. There were no differences in diet consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, survival, processing yields (carcass, shank fillet, and nugget), or fillet composition (moisture, protein, fat, and ash) among fish fed the various diets. These results indicate that a 26% protein diet containing plant and animal proteins or a 28% all-plant protein diet is adequate for channel catfish raised in ponds from advanced fingerlings to large marketable size without adversely affecting weight gain, feed efficiency, processing yield, or body composition. Large marketable-size channel catfish appear to use diets less efficiently but give higher processing yields compared to small marketable-size fish.     

Performance of Alternative Diets Containing Solvent‐Extracted Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles Compared to Traditional Diets for Pond‐Raised Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,and Hybrid Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus × Ictalurus furcatus

Two concurrent pond studies were initiated in April 2011 to evaluate feeds containing solvent‐extracted distillers dried grains with solubles (SE‐DDGS) in both 28 and 32% protein catfish feeds. Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, were stocked in multiple‐batch production ponds at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and hybrid catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus, in single‐batch production ponds at the National Warmwater Aquaculture Center (NWAC), Mississippi State University, Stoneville, Mississippi, USA. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial with two protein levels (32 and 28% protein), with and without 20% SE‐DDGS. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation, and managed similarly to a commercial farm for 186 d at UAPB and 172 d at NWAC. For channel catfish, two‐way ANOVA showed significant effects of both protein level (28% being better than 32%) and protein source (20% SE‐DDGS diets being better than traditional diets) on yield, survival, total diet fed, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), due primarily to effects on the understocked fingerlings. Partial budget analysis suggested that the 28% protein diet with the 20% SE‐DDGS was preferred economically for the prevailing feed costs. For hybrid catfish, two‐way ANOVA did not show significant differences in total diet fed, yield, survival, and processing yields, but use of SE‐DDGS resulted in a lower FCR. Results showed that both channel and hybrid catfish can utilize 20% SE‐DDGS in the diet without adversely affecting production or processing characteristics.     

Effects of varying dietary compositions using common feed ingredients on growth and feed efficiency of pond‐raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate various ingredient combinations in a 28% or 32% protein diet for optimum performance of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. All diets contained soybean meal and corn, but with or without cottonseed meal, wheat middlings or fish meal (FM). Channel catfish fingerlings were stocked into 0.04 ha earthen ponds at 18 530 fish ha^?1. Fish were fed one of eight diets once daily to apparent satiation for two growing seasons. Results demonstrated that the dietary ingredient composition used had significant effects on fish performance, but magnitude of differences was relatively small. Overall, diets containing FM resulted in greater weight gain (Experiments 1 and 2) and lower feed conversion ratio (Experiment 1) than fish fed all‐plant diets. However, certain combinations of plant ingredients provided the similar fish growth as some diets containing FM. There were no significant differences in weight gain between fish fed soybean meal–corn or soybean meal–corn–wheat middlings‐based diets with cottonseed meal or FM. The use of wheat middlings in the diet had no significant effects on fish production characteristics.     

Influence of forage fish and dietary lipid supplements on egg quality and fry production in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) × blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) hybridization

Hybrid catfish (channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus × blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus) display characteristics that are favourable to aquaculture production. Low hatch percentages are a principal reason this hybrid is not used widely in the catfish industry. This study was conducted to determine whether additional food source rich in lipids may lead to a higher quality egg production. A 10‐week feed trial was conducted in ponds in Auburn, AL. A total of 219 female Kansas Select channel catfish were stocked into nine ponds, 0.04 ha in size. Three dietary treatments were randomly allocated to the ponds. Diet‐1 was a standard 60 g kg^?1 lipid floating catfish feed. Diet‐2 was the same feed supplemented with forage fish at ～28 kg ha^?1. The third diet was the aforementioned catfish feed topcoated with 20 g kg^?1 lipid [10 g kg^?1 menhaden fish oil, 5 g kg^?1 high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oil and 5 g kg^?1 high arachidonic acid oil]. Results indicate that brood fish fed the high lipid diet spawned larger egg masses and had larger eggs both in weight and in diameter, with increased complements of fatty acids such as DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid and total n‐3 fatty acids. The neutral and polar lipid fractions are also presented.     

The Influence of Ovarian Fluid pH of Stripped Unfertilized Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Eggs on the Hatching Success of Channel Catfish ♀ x Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus♂, Hybrid Catfish Eggs

This study was designed to determine the effect of ovarian fluid pH of stripped unfertilized channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, eggs on fertilization and hatch rate of channel catfish ♀ x blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus♂, hybrid catfish eggs. A significant correlation was established between ovarian fluid pH of stripped channel catfish eggs and hybrid embryo hatch rate (R² = 0.75, P = 0.01), suggesting ovarian fluid pH of stripped catfish eggs prior to fertilization can be predictive of the hatching success of hybrid catfish embryos. These data were used to categorize pH of stripped eggs: pH <7.0 as “low pH eggs,” pH 7.0–7.4 as “medium pH eggs,” or pH >7.4 as “high pH eggs” quality eggs. The range in percent hatch rate for these pH categories was <15%, 15–30%, and >30%, respectively. Higher calcium concentrations during incubation do not appear to improve hatching success of “low pH eggs.” The predictive model presented herein describes a quick method for evaluating stripped catfish eggs for hybrid fry production in catfish hatcheries.     

Response of Two Generations of Selection to Increased Body Weight in Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Compared to Hybridization with Blue Catfish,I. furcatus,Males

ABSTRACT

Two generations of selection for increased body weight in Kansas (AU-KS-2) and Marion (AU-MS-2) lines of channel catfish, Ictaluruspunctatus, resulted in a 12% and 11% increase in body weight at market size, respectively. The second generation of selection produced no improvement in growth, and there was a slight negative response to selection for body weights during the second generation. Cumulative realized h² was 0.17 ±0.03 and 0.15 ±0.03 for AU-KS-2 and AU-MS-2, respectively, based on growth performance measured against a randomly bred, Kansas control for the two generations. Relative size differences were established by the time the fish reached 80 g, and these relative size differences were maintained the remainder of the experiment. Growth rate of the channel catfish ♀ × blue catfish 6, I. furcatus, hybrid was 35% faster than the Kansas control, and better than all three groups of channel catfish. The growth improvement through interspecific hybridization was three times better than through mass selection.     

Characterization of triploid hybrid groupers from interspecies hybridization (Epinephelus coioides ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)

Interspecies hybridization is widely used in aquaculture as a beneficial strategy. Diploid and triploid hybrids have been detected from the interspecies hybridization of Epinephelus coioides ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂. This is the first report of triploidization through hybridization in grouper. Confirmation has been obtained through flow cytometry, karyotyping and erythrocyte nuclei measurement. The chromosome numbers of E. coioides, E. lanceolatus, diploid hybrid grouper are 48 and triploid hybrid grouper are 72. Measurements of erythrocyte nuclei indicate that triploid fish have a larger nuclear surface than the diploid groupers, and the average ratio of triploid to diploid surface area is 1.59. During the first 1.5 years, triploid hybrid groupers grow faster than diploid hybrid groupers or either parent species. The average growth rate of triploid hybrids is 1.61 times greater than that of diploid hybrids at 6 months of age and 1.43 times greater at 18 months of age. The triploid hybrid groupers are inferior in gonadal development, with no primary‐growth‐stage oocytes appearing in the gonads at 18 months of age. Morphological studies indicate that triploid hybrid groupers have distinctive differences in snout length, eye diameter, body trunk shape, and tail shape development compared with diploid hybrid groupers. Triploid hybrid groupers have an advantage in growth ability, and artificial breeding of triploid groupers might be of great potential use in the grouper aquaculture industry.     

The effects of water temperature and stocking density on survival,feeding and growth of the juveniles of the hybrid yellow catfish from Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (♀) × Pelteobagrus vachelli (♂)

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of water temperature and stocking density on the survival, feeding and growth of the juveniles of the hybrid yellow catfish from Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (♀) × Pelteobagrus vachelli (♂) using the parameters as follows: survival rate (%), feeding rate (% day^?1), feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate (% day^?1), coefficient of variation (%), productivity (P, g m^?3 day^?1) and condition factor. We reared the juvenile fish (3.25 ± 0.21 g) at 12 water temperature levels and six stocking density levels (each level included three aquaria in two batches of experiments). The results showed that all groups survived at a temperature range of ≤35°C during a 46‐day experimental period, and they could achieve a high growth at a water temperature range of 26–32°C. The optimal temperature for growth was 29.8°C. Productivity peaked at a stocking density of 1.9 kg m^?3. Our results indicated that the hybrid is very suitable for commercial aquaculture.     

Evaluation of Corn Gluten Feed and Cottonseed Meal as Partial Replacements for Soybean Meal and Corn in Diets for Pond‐raised Hybrid Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus×I. furcatus

This study examined the use of corn gluten feed (CGF) and cottonseed meal (CSM) to partially replace soybean meal and corn in diets for pond‐raised hybrid catfish, Ictalurus punctatus×I. furcatus. Five 28% protein diets containing various combinations of CGF and CSM were evaluated. Fingerling hybrid catfish (mean initial weight: 45 g/fish) were stocked into 25, 0.04‐ha ponds at a rate of 14,826 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for a 179‐d growing season. CGF at 30% of the diet (10% CSM) and a combination of CGF and CSM up to 25% each did not affect physical quality (percentages floatability and feed dust) of the diet. No significant differences were observed in total amount of diet fed, net yield, diet consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival, and fillet proximate nutrient composition among fish fed various diets. Results show that hybrid catfish can utilize CGF at levels up to 30% of the diet (10% CSM), and a combination of CGF and CSM up to 25% each without significantly affecting growth, diet consumption, FCR, and fillet proximate nutrient composition. However, a combination of CGF and CSM at 20% each and above reduced carcass yield.