Catfish tails? Introduction and breeding
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Ictalurus punctatus, commonly known as the channel catfish, is a large freshwater fish belonging to the family Ictaluridae, not Diptera or Amaranthidae. The largest recorded specimen weighs up to 35 kg. This species thrives in water temperatures ranging from 0°C to 38°C, with optimal growth occurring between 15°C and 32°C. It requires dissolved oxygen levels of at least 3 mg/L and prefers a pH range of 6.8 to 7.5. It can tolerate salinity levels up to 8 g/L and is an omnivorous species that feeds primarily in low-light conditions. Juveniles mainly consume aquatic insects, while adults feed on small fish, crustaceans, algae, and organic debris. In captivity, they are often fed commercial fish feed.
Channel catfish are prized for their high meat yield, rich protein content, and delicious, boneless flesh. They are widely farmed for aquaculture due to their fast growth and adaptability.
For breeding, broodstock ponds should be 2 to 3 mu (approximately 0.3 to 0.5 hectares) in size, located near a reliable water source with good drainage and water retention. The bottom should be sandy or hard, with a depth of around 1.5 meters. Before stocking, the pond must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Healthy broodstock, aged over four years and weighing at least 1.5 kg, should be selected. Stocking density varies depending on pond size: 120–150 fish per acre in 2–3-acre ponds, and 120–130 fish per acre in 4–6-acre ponds, with total weight around 200–250 kg per mu. A 1:1 sex ratio is recommended.
Feeding should be done year-round using feed with 33–36% crude protein. Feeding rates depend on water temperature: 1% of body weight at 5–12°C, 2% at 12–20°C, and 3–4% at 20–35°C. About a month before spawning, feeding frequency should increase to support gonad development. Feed is usually placed in 10% of the pond area and distributed directly into the water.
Spawning ponds require clear water with a transparency of at least 45 cm, a pH of 6.5–8.5, and dissolved oxygen above 4 mg/L. Water should be refreshed every 10 days, and wild fish should be excluded. During spawning, the water level should be maintained at 1.2–1.4 m, and spawning nests should be placed in the pond.
Spawning nests, such as old milk cans or barrels, should be placed 3–5 meters from the edge of the pond, with one end open for access by the broodstock and the other covered with nylon mesh to prevent egg loss. Each nest should be tied with a rope and a float to aid in monitoring and collection. The number of nests should be about 25% of the total broodstock.
When water temperature reaches 18–19°C, nests are placed, and inspections are conducted when it rises above 20°C. Nests are gently lifted to check for broodstock or eggs. If present, the nests are submerged again to encourage spawning. Fertilized eggs are collected carefully and transported in water with a temperature difference of no more than 3–4°C. Transport time should be kept short to avoid hypoxia.
Egg nests are checked daily, and collection should be done away from direct sunlight to protect the eggs. Incubation equipment includes hatching tanks, cement pools, and loops. Optimal incubation temperature is 23–28°C, with dissolved oxygen above 6 mg/L and pH between 6.5 and 8.0. Outdoor tanks should be shaded to simulate low-light conditions.
Fertilized eggs are disinfected daily before eye development. Bacterial infections are treated with potassium permanganate (3 mg/L for 10–15 seconds), and fungal infections with formaldehyde (100 mg/L for 4–5 minutes). After disinfection, eggs are rinsed and returned to the hatching tank.
Hatching tanks, typically made of aluminum or stainless steel, should have a water wheel to maintain circulation at 28–30 rpm. Water depth should be around 25 cm, with 10–15 L/min inflow. Continuous aeration is essential. Once fry develop, they are siphoned into cages or ponds for further rearing. When yolk sacs disappear, they are transferred to nursery ponds for growth.