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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #405961
Research Project: Improving the Productivity and Quality of Catfish Aquaculture

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Title: Effect of brooder age and size on fry size variation in channel catfish

Author
item Ott, Brian
item Bosworth, Brian
item Torrans, Eugene
item Waldbieser, Geoffrey - Geoff

Submitted to: American Fisheries Society Newsletter
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2023
Publication Date: 8/1/2023
Citation: Ott, B.D., Bosworth, B.G., Torrans, E.L., Waldbieser, G.C. 2023. Effect of brooder age and size on fry size variation in channel catfish. American Fisheries Society Newsletter. P. P14.

Interpretive Summary: Groups of catfish harvested for processing often possess a wide range of body masses and can be too small or large for the preferred size of commercial processors. These catfish are typically purchased at reduced prices, resulting in decreased profits for farmers. All of the variables contributing to these size discrepancies are unknown, so scientists at the USDA-ARS Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit worked together to determine if size variation is present when catfish hatch and if broodstock age or size impacts this variation. At hatch, catfish fry from five-year old brooders can be 54% larger than those from two-year old brooders and this discrepancy persists up to four days after they begin feeding, when farmers typically stock them into ponds. Age of the brooders appears to be a more important factor in determining fry size than brooder body mass. These data indicate that management of brooders and their fry are important first step in reducing size variation of food fish at their final harvest.

Technical Abstract: N/A