Comparative growth and yield of channel catfish and channel × blue hybrid catfish fed a full or restricted ration

Abstract

Growth and yield (kg ha−1) of the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque, 1818) and the channel × blue hybrid catfish [I. punctatus female ×I. furcatus (Lesueur, 1840) male], which shared the Jubilee strain of channel catfish as the maternal parent, were compared in sixteen 0.1 ha earthen ponds (14 852 fish ha−1) during the April to November growing season. Each fish genetic group was fed a commercially formulated 32% protein feed daily to apparent satiation or at 80% of the mean daily satiation ration. Net yield and individual weight were higher for channel × blue hybrid catfish compared with channel catfish and for fish fed a full ration compared with a restricted ration. When fed a full ration, the channel × blue hybrid catfish grew faster from May to September than did the purebred channel catfish because the hybrid catfish consumed a greater percentage of its body weight at each feeding. Net yield within each fish genetic group was lower when feed ration was restricted. The per cent reduction in net yield in response to feed restriction was similar for each fish genetic group.