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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #261811
Title: Catfish production guidelines for in-pond raceway systems

Author
item Brown, Travis
item CHAPPELL, JESSE - Auburn University
item BOYD, CLAUDE - Auburn University
item ROY, LUKE - Auburn University
item HANSON, TERRY - Auburn University

Submitted to: Aquaculture America Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/9/2010
Publication Date: 3/2/2011
Citation: Brown, T.W., Chappell, J.A., Boyd, C.E., Roy, L.A., Hanson, T.R. 2011. Catfish production guidelines for in-pond raceway systems. Aquaculture America Conference. p. 469.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fish have been cultured in raceways for over 150 years in the United States. Most of these raceways have been flow-through systems for production of cold water species such as rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), although many other species have been produced. The development of In-Pond Raceways Systems (IPRS), Partitioned Aquaculture Systems (PAS), or so-called “split-pond systems” for the culture of warm water fish have been of interest for almost three decades. However, commercial applications did not escalate until the 1990’s and 2000’s when Auburn University focused on the development of fixed and floating raceway units. The majority of the commercial-scale research reported thus far has focused on a 6-acre IPRS constructed on a commercial catfish farm in Dallas County, Alabama. In summary, six 400 ft² fixed raceway units were each stocked with 12,000 to 30,000 fingerling and stocker channel catfish at densities equivalent to 4.4-29.2 lbs/ft². Dissolved oxygen was maintained through diffuser grids within the inflow portion of the raceways and a paddlewheel aerator in the larger pond area. Net catfish production averaged approximately 11,500 lbs per acre with an additional production of 2,250 lbs per acre of co-cultured species. While further design and management modifications are being tested, we believe this system has commercial potential.