Nitrogen transformations and balance in channel catfish ponds

Abstract

A nitrogen (N) budget was developed for four, 400-m2 ponds stocked with 550 channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings that were fed to satiation daily for 133 days with a ration containing 4.85% N. Feed accounted for 87.9% of the N input to ponds. Abundant N from ammonia (NH3), ammonium NH4+, and nitrate NO3− and the high total N: total phosphorus ratio in pond waters prevented appreciable biological N2 fixation. There were four main N losses: fish harvest (31.5%); denitrification (17.4%); NH3 volatilization (12.5%); accumulation in bottom soils (22.6%). Nitrification averaged 70 mg N m−2 d−1, denitrification averaged 38 mg N m−2 d−1, and phytoplankton removed NO3N at 24 mg N m−2 d−1. Mineralization of feed N to NH3 averaged 59 mg N m−2 d−1. As feed is the largest N input in catfish ponds, improved feeds and feeding practices can increase the proportion of N recovered in fish and reduce the amount of NH3 excreted by fish. Efficient aeration and water circulation also should enhance nitrification and oxidation of organic N.