Oocyte Diameter and Plasma Vitellogenin as Predictive Factors to Identify Potential Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Suitable for Induced Spawning

This study monitors the progression of oocyte size and plasma hormone profiles of female channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, at monthly intervals to stage expectant ovulating, females for strip spawning. The “critical minimum” diameter of an oocyte to reach threshold maturity for channel catfish was 2.5 ± 0.21 mm. Monthly increases of oocyte diameters and plasma vitellogenin concentrations were linear until spawning. The reproductive performance of cannulated and noncannulated catfish did not differ, negating adverse effects of routine cannulation. This study suggests oocyte diameter in channel catfish can be used as a predictive factor to determine and stage potential broodfish suitable for hormone‐induced spawning.     

A Preliminary Study on the Effects on Growth,Condition, and Feeding Indexes in Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,after the Prophylactic Use of Potassium Permanganate and Oxytetracycline

The prophylactic use of potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) and oxytetracycline and its effects on catfish growth were assessed. For eleven weeks, healthy channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, juveniles were exposed to KMnO₄ and oxytetracycline. KMnO₄‐treated fish were exposed to 1 ppm twice a week for 1 h, while oxytetracycline‐treated fish received a 50 mg/kg dose in the feed (35 fish per tank, two tanks per treatment). Assessed parameters included body weight and length, specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI), condition, and feed conversion index (FCI). Potassium permanganate did not have a suppressive effect on growth, while oxytetracycline significantly enhanced growth on channel catfish (weight and length), as they were heavier (12.5%) than KMnO₄‐treated fish and controls at the end of the trial. SGR (%/d), FI, and FCI were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the three groups of fish. Condition index (K) was significantly higher (ANOVA, P < 0.05) in the oxytetracycline‐treated fish. The present study suggests that, at concentrations commonly used in aquaculture, exposure of healthy channel catfish to oxytetracycline enhanced growth, while KMnO₄ does not induce growth suppression.     

The Effect of Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone Analog Regime and Stage of Oocyte Maturity for Induced Ovulation of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus

This study addresses rapid methods to identify mature channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, females for induced spawning with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analog (LHRHa) and common carp pituitary extract (CPE) and the effects of stage of maturity, hormone dose, season, and cannulation before hormone injection. Hormonal intervention is the most effective method for inducing maturation and spawning in channel catfish × blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, hybrids. A total of 80 mature channel catfish were staged for maturity based on secondary sexual characteristics and 20–30 oocytes cannulated to ascertain their maturation stage based on the position of gonadal vesicle. Twenty females were randomly assigned to one of the four hormone regimes (priming + resolving dose): CPE 2 + 8 mg/kg (CPEC); LHRHa 20 + 40 µg/kg (LHRHaL); LHRHa 20 + 60 µg/kg (LHRHaM); and LHRHa 20 + 80 µg/kg (LHRHaH) and a fifth treatment consisted of 20 females selected based on apparent maturity as evidenced by external appearance were injected with CPE, 2 + 8 mg/kg without cannulation (CPEO). Two trials were conducted in early part of the spawning season and two trials in peak season. External methods to identify maturity correlated (r = 0.63) with that of “germinal vesicle position” method to identify the stage of maturity in females. Mean percent of females that ovulated, hatched, and fry produced per kg body weight did not differ (P > 0.05) among the five hormone treatments. The mean percent females that ovulated was higher (P < 0.05) for CPE‐induced females that were identified as “excellent” females based on external examination. The performance of cannulated females did not differ (P > 0.05) with that of non‐cannulated catfish. The mean egg quality of hormone‐induced females and percent of females ovulated in response to hormone treatment established a weak but significant linear relationship (Y = 3.85 + 0.008 × ovulation, r² = 0.39, P < 0.05).     

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.     

Validation of a whole-body cortisol extraction procedure for channel catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ictalurus punctatus</Emphasis>) fry

We validated a whole-body cortisol extraction technique for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, fry. Three volume enhancement methods were tested: CAL method (zero calibrator A diluent added to lipid extract), PBS method (phosphate buffered saline added to lipid extract), and VO method (food grade vegetable oil added to lipid extract). The volume enhancement extracts were evaluated using a commercial radioimmunoassay kit. Sensitivity, accuracy, precision, reproducibility, and parallelism could not be determined for the PBS method as cortisol levels were not detected in any of the extracted samples. Intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) for the CAL and VO methods were 7.3 and 8.3%, respectively, while inter-assay CV were 9.6 and 10.6%, respectively. Based on the sensitivity, accuracy, precision, reproducibility, and parallelism results, we conclude that the CAL method is the most appropriate method for volume enhancement of catfish fry lipid extract. Using the CAL method to detect cortisol in catfish fry, fish were stressed daily for 2 weeks. Fry weights were similar throughout the study while whole-body cortisol levels were higher (P < 0.01) in stressed fish after 1 day of stress. These data show the CAL method can effectively measure whole-body cortisol in catfish fry.     

Production and Processing Trait Comparisons of Channel Catfish,Blue Catfish,and Their Hybrids Grown in Earthen Ponds

Fingerling HS‐5 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, NWAC 103 channel catfish, D&B blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, HS‐5 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F₁ hybrids, and NWAC 103 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F₁ hybrids were stocked into twenty‐five 0.04‐ha earthen ponds at 12,500 fish/ha and grown for 277 d. Fish were fed daily at rates from 1.0 to 3.0% biomass based on feeding activity and temperature and adjusted weekly assuming a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.8 and 100% survival. At harvest, 40 fish from each pond were sampled, and all other counted and weighed. Mean survival, growth rate indexes (a), FCR, and skin‐on fillet percentages were not significantly different. Mean harvest weights and net production were higher for HS‐5 channel and its hybrid than for the NWAC 103 channel, NWAC 103 hybrid, and D&B blue catfish, partially because of their larger mean stocking weights. D&B blue catfish was more uniform in size than NWAC 103 channel and NWAC 103 hybrid. D&B blue catfish was the easiest to seine. HS‐5 hybrids and NWAC 103 hybrids had lower mean head percentage and a better processing yield than their parent 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.     

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.     

Effects of an Extended Hatchery Phase and Vaccination against Enteric Septicemia of Catfish on the Production of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Fingerlings

The present study was conducted to evaluate production management methods to improve overall survival of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, fry to the fingerling stage by incorporating the use of a live, attenuated vaccine against Edwardsiella ictaluri and employing an extended hatchery phase. In this experiment, four treatments were used. In Treatment 1, 10‐d posthatch (PH) fry were vaccinated and then directly stocked into earthen ponds. In Treatments 2 and 3, 10‐d PH fry were sham‐vaccinated (control) and vaccinated, respectively, kept in nursery tanks for 22 d, and then stocked into earthen ponds. Fry in Treatment 4 were sham‐vaccinated at 10 d PH, kept in nursery tanks for 22 d, and then vaccinated prior to stocking into earthen ponds. Mean fingerling yield at harvest ranged from 4716 kg/ha in Treatment 1 to 8112 kg/ha in Treatment 4. Mean individual fish weight ranged from 38.8 g in Treatment 1 to 40.9 g in Treatment 4, and feed conversion ratios (FCR) ranged from 1.15 in Treatment 4 to 1.51 in Treatment 1. Mean survival ranged from 47.5% in Treatment 1 to 73.4% in Treatment 4. In specific comparisons to evaluate the nursery effect (Treatments 1 and 3), yield and overall survival were significantly different (P < 0.05) between these two treatments. In specific comparisons to evaluate the effect of the use of the vaccine (Treatments 2, 3, and 4), overall survival was significantly different (P < 0.05) between Treatment 2 (sham‐vaccinated control with nursery phase) and Treatment 4 (vaccinated at 32 d PH with nursery phase). No significant differences (P > 0.05) in yield, average weight, and FCR were observed between treatments. Results indicate that implementing an extended hatchery phase and vaccination strategy with older fry can improve overall survival of fingerling fish.     

The Effects of Water Velocity on the Growth,Dressout, and Body Composition of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Raised in Cicular Tanks

Research was conducted to determine the influence of water velocity on growth, dressout characteristics and fillet proximate composition of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, raised in circular tanks. In this study, channel catfish cultured in water velocities of 4 cm/second averaged 75 g/fish higher weight gain and 0.12%/day greater specific growth rates than channel catfish cultured in tanks having no water velocity (P < 0.05). Channel catfish cultured at water velocities of 4 cm/second had significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion efficiency and condition factor than channel catfish cultured in tanks having no water velocity. Channel catfish cultured at water velocities of 4 cm/second had significantly higher (P < 0.05) percentage carcass weight, fillet weight, and fillet moisture. The percentage visceral and fillet fat of channel catfish cultured at 4 cm/second was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that for channel catfish raised in tanks having no water velocity. These results indicate that when cultured from initial weights of approximately 100 g to final weights exceeding 454 g in an environment having a water velocity of 4 cm/second, channel catfish have greater growth, dressout and lower fat levels than channel catfish produced in tanks having the identical water exchange rates but no water velocity.     

Nursery rearing of the Asian catfish, Clarias macrocephalus (Günther), at different stocking densities in cages suspended in tanks and ponds

Growth and survival of hatchery‐bred Asian catfish, Clarias macrocephalus (Günther), fry reared at different stocking densities in net cages suspended in tanks and ponds were measured. The stocking densities used were 285, 571 and 1143 fry m^?3 in tanks and 114, 228 and 457 fry m^?3 in ponds. Fish were fed a formulated diet throughout the 28‐day rearing period. Generally, fish reared in cages in ponds grew faster, with a specific growth rate (SGR) range of 10.3–14.6% day^?1, than those in cages suspended in tanks (SGR range 9–11.3% day^?1). This could be attributed to the presence of natural zooplankton (copepods and cladocerans) in the pond throughout the culture period, which served as additional food sources for catfish juveniles. In both scenarios, the fish reared at lower densities had significantly higher SGR than fish reared at higher densities. In the pond, the SGR of fish held at 228 and 457 m^?3 were similar to each other but were significantly lower than those of fish held at 114 m^?3. The zooplankton in ponds consisted mostly of copepods and cladocerans, in contrast to tanks, in which rotifers were more predominant. Per cent survival ranged from 85% to 89% in tanks and from 78% to 87% in ponds and did not differ significantly among stocking densities and between rearing systems. In conclusion, catfish nursery in cages suspended in tanks and ponds is density dependent. Catfish fry reared at 285 m^?3 in tanks and at 114 m^?3 in ponds had significantly faster growth rates than fish reared at higher densities. However, the desired fingerling size of 3–4 cm total length for stocking in grow‐out culture can still be attained at stocking densities of 457 m^?3 in nursery pond and 571 m^?3 in tanks.     

Use of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Pituitary as a Spawning Aid: Influence of Seasons and Preparations on Efficacy

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, pituitary powder (CP) was prepared and administered to determine the effect of pituitary preparation, head selection criteria, and season of collection on the biological potency of this gonadotropic preparation. Pituitaries were harvested from three catfish processing plants throughout the months of December, February, March, and April to investigate the effect of season on CP potency. Gravid female channel catfish were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with priming (2 mg/kg) and resolving doses (8 mg/kg) of CP treatments, luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analog (LHRHa), or saline. Pharmaceutical grade Carbopol 971P resin (CAR) was tested as a 1% aqueous dispersion in physiological saline and administered with CP (10 mg/kg) as a IP single injection at a final volume of 2 mL per kg as a slow‐release vehicle. Individual females were hand‐stripped, and eggs were fertilized with freshly harvested blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, spermatozoa. Pituitaries processed with either acetone or ethanol/acetone resulted in significantly different ovulation rates of 35 and 73%, respectively (P≤ 0.01). Ovulation success was not significantly different among CP and LHRHa treatment groups. Ovulation rates were not significantly different among treatment groups of CP collected in April (74%) or December (67%), or collected from male (69%), or small individuals (55%). The shortest latency period among CP treatment was from CP collected in December and from males at 39.1 ± 0.7 and 38.5 ± 0.4 h, respectively. The CAR vehicle treatment performed poorly resulting in an average ovulation rate of 19.0%, with 3.3% viable embryos at 36 h post‐fertilization. Pituitaries collected from channel catfish potentially represent a viable spawning aid for the production of hybrid channel × blue catfish.     

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.     

Effect of Sublethal Hypoxia on the Immune Response and Susceptibility of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, to Enteric Septicemia

The effect of sublethal hypoxia exposure on stress and immune responses and susceptibility to Edwardsiella ictaluri infection in juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, was investigated. Fish were monitored for temporal changes in glucose and cortisol concentrations before, during, and after 2 h exposure to sublethal hypoxia (<2 mg/L dissolved oxygen [DO]) and when maintained under normoxic conditions (6.0 ± 0.3 mg/L DO). Both blood glucose and plasma cortisol increased significantly in response to hypoxic conditions. Fish exposed to hypoxic or normoxic conditions were challenged with a high dose (1.3 × 10⁷ colony‐forming units [CFU]/mL) or a low dose (1.3 × 10⁵ CFU/mL) of E. ictaluri or sterile culture broth by 30‐min immersion bath. Approximately 1% of fish in both the normoxic and the hypoxic groups died when challenged with the low dose of E. ictaluri. However, when challenged with the high dose of E. ictaluri, catfish exposed to hypoxic conditions had significantly higher cumulative mortality (36 ± 12.1%) than those maintained under normoxic conditions (12 ± 1.1%). Total hemolytic complement and bactericidal activities and antibody response were lower in hypoxia‐exposed channel catfish, indicating that increased susceptibility of channel catfish to E. ictaluri may be the result of the immunosuppressive effects of the stress response to hypoxia.     

Soldier fly, Hermetia illucens L., larvae as feed for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), and blue tilapia, Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner)

Abstract. Three feeding trials, involving pre-pupal larvae of soldier fly, Hermetia illucens L., grown on poultry manure, were conducted to assess: (1) channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), response to substitution of dried meal larvae for the fish meal component of the catfish diet and (2) if feeding 100% whole or chopped larvae to channel catfish or blue tilapia, Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner), will support normal growth comparable to those fed a commercial diet. Effects on fish quality were also evaluated. Replacement of 10% fish meal with 10% soldier fly larvae resulted in slower growth over a 15-week period for subadult channel catfish grown in cages (trial 1). However, the replacement did not reduce growth rate significantly when channel catfish were grown in culture tanks at a slower growth rate (trial 2). Feeding 100% larvae did not provide sufficient dry matter or protein intake for good growth for either species grown in tanks (trials 2 and 3). Chopping of the larvae improved weight gain and efficiency of the utilization.     

Family and genetic group effects for resistance to proliferative gill disease in channel catfish, blue catfish and channel catfish×blue catfish backcross hybrids

The severity of gill damage (percentage of gill lamellae with lytic lesions) was determined in juveniles from 10 USDA 103 line channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus full‐sib families, 10 channel catfish×blue catfish I. furcatus backcross hybrid (7/8 channel catfish, 1/8 blue catfish) full‐sib families and a mixed‐family group of blue catfish placed in a commercial catfish pond experiencing proliferative gill disease (PGD)‐related fish mortalities. An initial challenge was conducted with all families, and a second challenge was conducted using the two most susceptible (most gill damage) channel catfish and backcross hybrid families and the two most resistant (least gill damage) channel catfish and backcross hybrid families. In the initial challenge, percentage gill damage was not different between channel catfish (12.3%) and backcross hybrids (11.6%), but was lower in blue catfish (0.2%). Mean percentage gill damage in the second challenge was not different among resistant backcross hybrid families (6.9%), resistant channel catfish families (7.6%) and blue catfish (4.8%), but was higher in susceptible backcross hybrid and channel catfish families (19.0% and 11.9% respectively). The correlation among family means for gill damage from challenge 1 and challenge 2 was r=0.87. Consistent differences between channel catfish and blue catfish and between resistant and susceptible families within genetic groups for gill damage after PGD challenge suggest that there is a genetic component for resistance to PGD and that improving PGD resistance through selection may be possible.     

Early out-of-season induced spawning of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) conditioned in heated earthen ponds

This study documents early out-of-season induced spawning of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. During the early spring (February–April) of 1999, 2000 and 2001, ponds containing (1) male and female channel catfish (mixed-sex ponds) or (2) male channel and blue catfish I. furcatus only, or female channel catfish only (single-sex ponds) were heated to 24–30°C to encourage gonadal maturation and spawning. Unheated ponds were stocked with males and females and were monitored during the duration of heating. When natural spawning occurred in the heated ponds, the fish were captured by seining and unspawned females were injected with 100 μg kg⁻¹ of synthetic leutenizing hormone-releasing hormone. Injected females were either paired with males or held in communal all-female groups, and monitored for ovulation. Eggs were collected and fertilized with sperm of channel catfish or blue catfish. Females paired with males were induced to spawn 44 days (mixed-sex ponds) and 50 days (single-sex ponds) before natural spawning occurred in unheated ponds. Spawning latency (the time between injection and ovulation) and the percentage of neurulated embryos from eggs fertilized using channel catfish sperm was not different between spawning before the natural season (P=0.68) and during the natural season in fish from mixed-sex ponds (P=0.57). Females held in all-female groups produced eggs 34 days before the onset of spawning in unheated ponds. Spawning latency was not different between spawns before and during the natural season (P=0.16), and the percentages of neurulated embryos from eggs fertilized with channel catfish sperm (P=0.76) or blue catfish sperm (P=0.77) before or during the natural season were not different. This study demonstrates the feasibility of conditioning of channel catfish females for early out-of-season induced spawning in the laboratory.     

Effect of Dietary Vitamin C on Weight Gain,Tissue Ascorbate Concentration,Stress Response,and Disease Resistance of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus1

Juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (average initial weight, 6.5 g/fish) were fed twice daily to apparent satiation with practical-type diets containing 0, 50, 150, or 250 mg supplemental vitamin C/kg from L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate for 10 wk under laboratory conditions. At the end of the feeding period, one half of the fish were stressed for 2 h by confinement and both stressed and nonstressed fish were exposed to a virulent strain of Edwardsiella ictaluri. Weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were lower for fish fed the basal diet than those fed diets containing supplemental vitamin C. No differences were observed in weight gain and feed conversion among fish fed diets containing supplemental vitamin C. There were no differences in feed consumption and survival (prior to experimental infection) among treatments. No vitamin C deficiency signs except reduced weight gain were observed in fish fed the basal diet. Serum cortisol concentrations were higher in stressed fish than in non-stressed fish. Dietary vitamin C level had no effect on serum cortisol concentration. As dietary vitamin C increased, ascorbate concentration in serum and liver increased. Confinement stress had no effect on serum and liver ascorbate concentrations. Cumulative mortality of channel catfish 21 d subsequent to experimental infection with E. ictaluri was higher for stressed fish than for nonstressed fish. Regardless of stress or nonstress, overall mortality for fish fed the basal diet was lower than the fish fed diets containing supplemental vitamin C. There were no differences in post-infection antibody levels among treatments or between stressed and nonstressed fish. Results from this study indicate that channel catfish require no more than 50 mg/kg dietary vitamin C for normal growth, stress response, and disease resistance.     

Effects of Varying Dietary Protein Levels and Feeding Frequencies on Condition and Reproductive Performance of Channel Catfish to Produce Hybrid Catfish

The interspecific hybridization of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, females with blue catfish, I. furcatus, males has been identified as a method to further improve production; however, lack of spawning success has affected its commercial application. To facilitate our understanding of the interaction of brood stock nutrition and reproductive performance, we evaluated the interaction of feed quality and feeding frequency. Channel catfish females were classified into two genetic groups, namely, high and low spawning. The treatments were offered during the spring season 70–90 d prior to the start of the spawning season. Induced reproduction was performed using luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analog. Condition of the fish as well as reproductive performance using spawning success, egg production, egg size, and fertilization at 48 h were determined. Changing protein level of the diet from 32 to 42% did not influence spawning, fecundity, or fertilization, but affected egg size and biochemical composition of the eggs. Increasing the feeding frequency from three to six times per week negatively affected spawning in one of the two genetics groups, did not affect egg production and egg fertilization, but had a significant effect on egg size. Older fish performed better than younger fish in terms of spawning success and egg production.     

Influence of native catfish mucus on Flavobacterium columnare growth and proteolytic activity

Flavobacterium columnare causes columnaris disease of farmed and wild freshwater fish. Skin mucus is an important factor in early stages of columnaris pathogenesis, albeit little studied. Our objectives were to (a) characterize the terminal glycosylation pattern (TGP) of catfish mucus, (b) determine the growth of F. columnare in formulated water (FW)‐containing channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) or hybrid catfish (Ictalurus punctatus X Ictalurus furcatus) mucus and (c) examine extracellular protease activity of two F. columnare isolates differing in virulence. The TGP of catfish mucus by lectin binding was as follows: alpha‐D‐mannose/alpha‐D‐glucose >N‐acetyl‐beta‐D‐glucosamine >N‐acetyl‐beta‐D‐glucosamine/N‐acetylneuraminic acid >N‐acetyl‐D‐galactosamine >alpha‐D‐galactose/N‐acetyl‐alpha‐D‐galactosamine >beta‐D‐galactose = alpha‐L‐fucose. Virulence studies demonstrated isolate AL‐02‐36 was highly virulent in channel catfish fry (0.1 g) with cumulative mortality of 90%‐100% versus 60% for isolate ALG‐00‐530 at equivalent doses (~3 × 10⁶ CFU/ml); a similar result was observed in larger (0.7 g) catfish. In multiple experiments, F. columnare replicated (2‐3 logs) and survived (28 days) in formulated water‐containing catfish mucus. Highly virulent isolate AL‐02‐36 possessed at least 2.5‐ to fivefold higher protease activity following growth in mucus than the less virulent ALG‐00‐530. Flavobacterium columnare utilized catfish mucus as a nutrient source and mucus presence modulated extracellular protease production.