Catfish Production Research Articles

Acceptability of Korean Fish Cake Made from Patin Fish

Catfish is one of the many fish species cultivated in Indonesia so that the number increases rapidly every year, but this is not in line with the diversity of processed catfish products. One way to increase the diversity of processed catfish is by diversifying the product into Korean fish cake. This study aims to develop a formula and determine the acceptability of Korean fish cake made from catfish. This research was conducted by experimental method. Based on the results of the recipe analysis, the starting recipe was produced which was then tested 3 times. From the QDA test conducted by 3 expert panelists, the best sample was chosen, namely KFCIP 3 with a composition of catfish 29.9%, squid 29.9%, shrimp 14.9%, wheat flour 3.7%, potato starch 5, 3%, garlic 3.2%, onion 4.3%, egg white, 4.3%, salt 1.9%, sugar 2.2% and white pepper 0.4%. Furthermore, organoleptic tests were carried out to determine the acceptability of 30 untrained panelists. From the results of the research and analysis carried out, it shows that the composition of taste, aroma, color, texture has acceptance with the "very favorable" category. Overall, Korean catfish fish cake has an acceptance category of "very liked". This research also produced a Korean fish cake formulation made from catfish which was positively received by consumers.

Food Certification Through Catfish Crackers as an Effort to Increase Food and Economic Security in BUMDes Gesang Sejahtera, Gesang Village, Tempeh District, Lumajang Regency.

BUMDes is basically an instrument for social and commercial-based local economic empowerment institutions that have a strong focus on the interests and progress of village communities. One of the superior business units in BUMDes Gesang Sejahtera is catfish cultivation. Catfish cultivation business units are in great demand among local village communities, because apart from the affordable price, catfish also have delicious meat and high nutritional value. The management of BUMDes Gesang Sejahtera has tried an innovation from catfish products to catfish nuggets. Along the way, catfish nuggets are less popular with the public because they are easily spoiled and the production price is high. The aim of this service activity is to find an innovative form of catfish product that is durable and has value for sale. The method used in this service activity is PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal). The result of this activity was the creation of an innovation in catfish crackers and a halal certificate.

FEMALE BROODSTOCK SIZE AND MATERNAL EFFECTS ON PROGENY OF Clarias gariepinus (BURCHELL 1822)

Catfish farmers have been enduring having to spawn with very big females at high cost avoiding medium and small sizes. The relationship between female broodstock weight and the growth rate of progeny has been a major concern among catfish producers. To examine the impact of different female broodstock sizes on the reaction to growth of the fish seed, induced breeding of the study fish was done. The experiment was designed a completely randomized design (CRD) made of three treatments replicated three times. The treatment were three categories of weight of broodstocks as Treatment I (1000g (Treatment I or Small size), Treatment II (1500g or Medium size) and Treatment III (2500g or Large size). There was no significant fluctuation in the physico-chemical parameters of the water. There was no significant difference in the fry survival among Treatments (P>0.05). The maternal effect on growth of the study fish was 10.5 weeks of culture as Treatment 11 fingerlings then grew fastest. At the end of 40 weeks culture period there was significant difference (P<0.05) in the final weight of the table fish (1231.67 g, 1156.67g, and 1006.67g, for Treatment 11, Treatment 111, and Treatment 1, respectively). Overall, the results of these growth evaluations showed that the selected group had improved growth performance. Medium sized female broodstock can therefore deliver substantial genetic improvements in induced breeding of the study fish.

Humic Acid Aplication in Catfish Farming Using Bucket System in Muncul Fish Farm, Banyuwangi, Indonesia

In Banyuwangi, Indonesia, where the vast potential of natural resources remains largely untapped optimally, the community partnership program (CPP) was introduced to enhance freshwater fish production, with a specific focus on catfish farming in the Muncul fish farm. The region's catfish production, the largest among consumer fish commodities, had been hampered by traditional and semi-intensive methods, limited facilities, disease risks, and uncertain market conditions. To address these challenges, the CPP employed a participatory approach, fostering a close relationship between the community development team and partner groups. Through scientific problem-solving discussions, valuable input from partners, and active participation in decision-making, catfish farmers were empowered. The central innovation of applying humic acid in a bucket fish farming system significantly improved catfish productivity and profitability. As a result, partners gained knowledge and skills in intensive bucket fish farming, substantially increasing their productivity and income. To further expand the benefits of this program, promoting urban farming concepts, especially the bucket fish farming system, should be encouraged to engage more individuals with limited space in small-scale aquaculture for food security and income generation.

Effects of the combination of chitosan and Acinetobacter KU011TH on the growth and health performances and disease resistance of juvenile hybrid catfish (Clarias gariepinus × C. macrocephalus)

Aquatic animal health management has become a crucial component in the goal of increasing catfish aquaculture productivity. Additionally, hybrid catfish (Clarias gariepinus × C. macrocephalus) has been promoted as a highly profitable freshwater fish in Asia. Interestingly, the crucial diseases induced by Aeromonas hydrophila have been reported to greatly impede catfish production. To overcome this challenge, the aim was to investigate the effects of the oral administration of potentially synbiotic chitosan (CH) and Acinetobacter KU011TH (AK) on the growth performance, immunological responses, and disease resistance of hybrid catfish against A. hydrophila. The control group was fed a basal diet (A), the diet fed to treatment group B was supplemented with 20 mL of CH/kg diet (B), and the experimental feed fed to groups C-D was mixed with 1 × 108, 1 × 109 and 1 × 1010 CFU/mL AK coated with 20 mL of CH/kg diet. Five different groups of juvenile hybrid catfish were continuously fed the 5 formulated feeds for 4 weeks. The results revealed that all tested feeds did not significantly enhance the hybrid catfish's average daily gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, hematocrit and erythrocyte counts. Interestingly, the application of CH and AK significantly increased the leukocyte counts, respiratory burst, lysozyme activity, alternative complement pathway hemolytic activity, and bactericidal activity (P < 0.05). The expression levels of the immune-related genes in the whole blood, head kidney, and spleen were significantly increased after CH-AK application (P < 0.05), but this finding was not observed in the liver (P > 0.05). Additionally, after 14 days of A. hydrophila peritoneal injection, the fish in group C showed significantly higher survival rates of approximately 70.0 % compared with the control fish in groups B, D, and E (52.5 %, 40.0 %, 45.0 %, and 45.0 %, respectively) (P < 0.05). These results collectively suggest that short-term application of the diet fed to group C effectively boosted the immune responses and disease resistance of hybrid catfish against A. hydrophila.

Molecular biomarkers for sperm quality in an economically important fish: Blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus

Intraspecies variability in sperm quality is common among aquaculture species, thus necessitating an urgent need to establish reliable molecular biomarkers to screen for males with high-quality sperm. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ♀ × blue catfish (I. furcatus) ♂ hybrid accounts for >50% of United States catfish production. Blue catfish sperm cannot be collected using non-lethal methods, and thus, males must be sacrificed to determine reproductive quality. To establish gene expression biomarkers of sperm quality, we characterized important sperm traits, ranked blue catfish males based on the curvilinear velocity of their sperm, and sequenced testicular tissue for mRNAs and sRNAs. Of the 43 males characterized, testicular tissue from 4 individuals with low-velocity (155.70 mm/s ± 1.49 SD) and 4 with high-velocity (205.01 mm/s ± 4.63 SD) were chosen for sequencing. No differentially expressed sRNAs were detected between the two sperm performance groups. However, we identified two differentially expressed mRNA transcripts between the low-velocity and high-velocity groups, aqp3a and ly97.3, both upregulated in the high-velocity group compared to the low-velocity group. These molecular biomarkers of sperm quality in testicular tissue are linked to gamete quality and may be applied for more efficient catfish aquaculture.

Effect of hypoxia duration and pattern on channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) neuropeptide gene expression and hematology.

Commercial aquaculture production of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) occurs in shallow ponds with daily cycling of dissolved oxygen concentration ranging from supersaturation to severe hypoxia. Once daily minimum dissolved oxygen concentration falls below 3.0mg O2/L, channel catfish have a reduced appetite, leading to reduced growth rates. In other fishes, upregulation of the neuropeptides corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urotensin I (UI) have been implicated as initiating the mechanism responsible for decreasing appetite once an environmental stressor is detected. Channel catfish maintained at 27°C in aquaria were subjected to varying durations and patterns of hypoxia (1.75 ± 0.07mg O2/L) to evaluate underlying physiological responses to hypoxia and determine if hypothalamic CRF and UI are responsible for hypoxia-induced anorexia in channel catfish. During a short exposure to hypoxia (12h), venous PO2 was significantly lower within 6h and was coupled with an increase of hematocrit and decrease of blood osmolality, yet all responses reversed within 12h after returning to normoxia. When this pattern of hypoxia and normoxia was repeated cyclically for 5days, these physiological responses repeated daily. Extended periods of hypoxia (5days) resulted in similar hematological responses, which did not recover to baseline values during the hypoxia exposure. This study did not find a significant change in hypothalamic transcription of CRF and UI during hypoxia challenges but did identify multiple physiological adaptive responses that work together to reduce the severity of experimentally induced hypoxia in channel catfish.

Pengembangan UMKM Abon Ikan Patin Sebagai Ketahanan Pangan di Kepenghuluan Rantau Bais, Kecamatan Tanah Putih, Kabupaten Rokan Hilir

Rantau Bais Kepenghuuan has quite potential catfish ponds, usually the results of catfish ponds are sold in the form of fresh fish without any management so that management of catfish can increase the added value of catfish and become a productive economic potential for SMEs. The outreach and shredded making activities were carried out on August 12 2023 with the target community being 34 young people from Rantau Bais Penghuluan, Tanah Putih District, Rokan Hilir Regency. The aim of this outreach is to create catfish-based products, provide information and training to improve community skills in processing catfish and develop local products by mobilizing MSMEs. The methods used are counseling, training and assistance in the process of making catfish floss right through to packaging under the Karabon23 brand and marketing. The results of the activities were the formation of a group of shredded catfish producers.

Assessment of dietary mannaoligosaccharides and β-glucan on the growth, somatic indices and haematological parameters of African catfish (&lt;i&gt;Clarias gariepinus&lt;/i&gt;)

The effects of dietary mannaoligosaccharides (MOS) and β-glucan on the production performance of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, was examined in this study. Three (3) trial diets were produced viz-a-vis., Control (basal diet, BD), MOS (BD + 0.2% MOS) and β-glucan (BD +0.02% β-glucan) and fed to catfish (11.77±0.05 g fish-1) for 63 days. Nine circular tanks were distinctly assigned into 3 dietary groups in triplicate, stocked with 100 fish per tank (85 L), and fed twice daily (8:00 - 9:00h and 17:00 - 18:00h). The results indicated that there was no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) in the mean final body weight, specific growth rates, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratios, and survivals among the various treatments groups. Similarly, somatic indices (condition factors, hepatosomatic indices, and viscerosomatic indices) measured were not significantly different (p&gt;0.05) across the experimental groups. However, the haematological parameters such as packed cell volume, haemoglobin as well as the erythrocyte and leucocyte counts were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower in the catfish fed MOS diet. It could be concluded herewith that dietary supplementation of MOS and β-glucan do not have a deleterious effect on African catfish production. Further study is however warranted to establish dose-response effect of MOS and β-glucan on innate immunity of African catfish (C. gariepinus).

Effect of Artificial Aeration by Cascade Type Bamboo Baskets on Water Quality in Fish Culture

Dissolved oxygen in intensive fish culture system acts as the critical factor of water quality, a primary concern in enhancing fish production. The effect of artificial aeration on water quality in intensive carp culture system using various management practices has been studied. Addition of oxygen into pond water with high stocking density for improved water quality and production of catfish (Loyacano, 1974), feed utilization and growth in common carp (Singh et al., 1980) and Indian major carps (Vijajan and Verghese, 1986) have been found effective.

Influence of salinity on the biometric traits of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivated under an integrated aquaculture-agriculture system

BackgroundSoil salinity, soil infertility, and freshwater scarcity are among the major constraints affecting agricultural ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Hence, there is a need to look for salt-tolerant crops and fish that can be successfully cultivated and reared respectively in such harsh environments. The implementation of biosaline integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems (IAAS) utilizing both salt-tolerant crops and fish could improve food and feed production in arid and semi-arid regions. This study, therefore, investigated the influence of salinity on the biometric traits of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) under an IAAS.MethodThe experiment followed a randomized completely block design of three salinity treatments with three replicates namely, T0: Control (freshwater mixed with chemical fertilizers), T1: 5,000 ppm, T2: 10,000 ppm, and T3: 15,000 ppm.ResultsIrrigating barley with saline aquaculture wastewater at different salinities (5,000 ppm, 10,000 ppm, and 15,000 ppm) did not significantly affect the agro-morphological parameters (internode number per plant, stalk diameter, leaf number per plant, leaf area index, and leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD)) of the plants at 90 days after sowing. Moreover, the forage yield and forage quality in terms of fiber fraction, nutrient composition, and in vitro digestibility of the forage biomass were not severely affected by high salinity compared to the control (freshwater and inorganic fertilizers). Our results also showed that rearing striped catfish in saline water not exceeding 10,000 ppm did not negatively impact the growth performance (final weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, condition factor, and survival) and the health status of the fish.ConclusionsThe integration of striped catfish and barley production in water salinities below 15,000 ppm could be a feasible alternative in safeguarding food and feed security in regions affected by soil salinity, soil infertility, and freshwater scarcity. Moreover, the salinity regime of 5,000 ppm could bring higher economic gains to farmers regarding higher crop yields (fish and forage yield).

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the darkbarbel catfish Pelteobagrus vachelli

The darkbarbel catfish (Pelteobagrus vachelli), an economically important aquaculture species in China, is extensively employed in hybrid yellow catfish production due to its superior growth rate. However, information on its genome has been limited, constraining further genetic studies and breeding programs. Leveraging the power of PacBio long-read sequencing and Hi-C technologies, we present a high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly for the darkbarbel catfish. The resulting assembly spans 692.10 Mb, with an impressive 99.9% distribution over 26 chromosomes. The contig N50 and scaffold N50 are 13.30 Mb and 27.55 Mb, respectively. The genome is predicted to contain 22,109 protein-coding genes, with 96.1% having functional annotations. Repeat elements account for approximately 35.79% of the genomic landscape. The completeness of darkbarbel catfish genome assembly is highlighted by a BUSCO score of 99.07%. This high-quality genome assembly provides a critical resource for future hybrid catfish breeding, comparative genomics, and evolutionary studies in catfish and other related species.

Assistance in Making Nutritional Value Information on Packaging Labels at UMKM Abon Lele "Yu Kaji"

The packaging label is a description that is represented in the form of words or pictures regarding product information as a means of communication between producers and consumers without having to open the packaging. The government through Law no. 18 of 2012 concerning food requires manufacturers to put a label on the packaging. One of the information that must be included on the label is the nutritional value information label (ING). However, there are still many UMKM players who have not put the ING label on the packaging label, one of them is the UMKM Abon Lele "Yu Kaji". This is due to the lack of awareness of business actors about the importance of ING for consumers to know the measure of food consumed according to body needs. Therefore, this service activity will focus on facilitating partners to produce information on ING of shredded catfish through outreach and mentoring. The result of this dedication is the design of information labels on the nutritional value of shredded catfish and business owners better understanding the importance and benefits of labeling nutritional value information on packaging. With the nutritional value information label, it is hoped that it can prove to consumers that this shredded catfish product has many benefits that are worth buying and makes it easier for producers to obtain a legal distribution permit such as BPOM.

Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Clarias. gariepinus Fed Soaked Boscia senegalensis Supplemented Diets

The present study investigated the nutritional suitability and cost effectiveness of a Sahelian plant seeds, Aizien (Boscia senegalensis) as alternative to Soy bean meal in the diet of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822). Raw seeds of the B. senegalensis were subjected to processing method intended to reduce levels of the most important antinutritional factors (ANFs). The resultant product was used to formulate five isonitrogenous (40%) diets, containing the seed meals at inclusion levels of 25% to 100% of dietary protein and fed to Fingerlings of the African Catfish at 5% of their body weight for a period of 24 weeks. The feeding trial involved one hundred and fifty (150) fingerlings of C. gariepinus(2.43g –3.10g) randomly stocked at ten fish per Tank (200L) in a non-flow through design with regular water replacement and water quality monitoring. Important growth performance and nutrient utilization indices, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and Feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of fish in the experimental groups fed SBS based showed that Fish fed 50% SBS diet recorded the highest WG (439.14g), SGR (1.34%/day) and FCR (1.35). This could be attributed to the protein quality of the diets in relation to the dietary essential amino acid profile of the experimental diets used. Generally, the Fish fed the 100%SBS diet recorded the lowest growthperformance with regards to WG (360.68g), SGR(1.25), FCR (1.61), PER (1.58) and FCE (62.22%).From the results of this experiment, for better production of African catfish C. gariepinus, replacement levels of 50 SBS may serve as good alternative to SBM in feed formulation for C. gariepinus.

MARKETING STRATEGY OF CATFISH THROUGH AGRIBUSINESS SUBSYSTEM IN THE PEGUYANGAN ECOTOURISM AREA, NORTH DENPASAR

The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate marketing strategy used by Pokdakan Mina Mandiri in each agribusiness subsystem by analyzing it through the SWOT Matrix through strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges. This study used a descriptive method by determining the location by purposive sampling with the consideration that the research location had been keeping catfish for a long time through the upstream, middle and downstream agribusiness subsystems. The results of the SWOT analysis show that the position of the cultivator for the upstream agribusiness subsystem is in quadrant III Turn Around/Stability (Change Strategy) followed by the SWOT matrix so that the right strategy is obtained which is the WO Strategy which is taking advantage of existing opportunities by improving the internal weaknesses of members of the Mina Mandiri group. So that the marketing strategy: (1) Cultivators to be able to increase business capital from loans, (2) cultivators to be able to make alternative feeds, (3) cultivators to find alternative markets other than the local market, and (4) cultivators to take advantage of local government policies that support hatchery activities. For the middle agribusiness subsystem, it is in quadrant I with an aggressive SO strategy Marketing strategy using internal strengths to take advantage of opportunities from group members, so that the marketing strategy: (1) Cultivators to maintain quality, quantity and continuity of products according to demand, (2) cultivators in determining prices to be competitive, (3) cultivators to maintain good relations with sellers, and (4) cultivators to improve facilities and infrastructure by utilizing natural resources. For the downstream agribusiness subsystem, the cultivator's position is in quadrant IV of the defensive marketing strategy (WT) by taking advantage of internal weaknesses to reduce external threats, so that the marketing strategy: (1) Cultivators to add manpower to process catfish, (2) cultivators to be able to make products preparations that have a longer shelf life, (3) cultivators to be able to increase their consumption of catfish products, (4) cultivators to see competitors as competitors, and (5) cultivators to improve the packaging of their processed products.

Regulation of steroid production and key genes in catfish Heteropneustes fossilis using recombinant gonadotropins.

The two gonadotropins, FSH and LH, stimulate growth and development of the gonads through gonadal biosynthesis of steroid hormones and growth factors. To date, cDNA sequences encoding gonadotropin subunits have been isolated and characterized from a large number of fish species. Recently, we successfully cloned and characterized gonadotropins (LHβ, FSHβ, and GPα) from the pituitary glands of the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. In the present study, we describe herein the production of recombinant stinging catfish, H. fossilis (hf) FSH (rhfFSH) and LH (rhfLH) using the methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris expression system. We further explored the hypothesis that the recombinant gonadotropins can modulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis genes (avt, it, gnrh2, kiss2, and cyp19a1a) and regulate their transcriptional profile and steroid levels in relation to their annual developmental stage during preparatory and pre-spawning phases under in-vitro conditions. We found that the different concentrations of recombinant rhfFSH and rhfLH significantly stimulated E2 levels in the preparatory and prespawning season, and also upregulated gonadal aromatase gene expression in a dose dependent manner. Our results demonstrate that the yeast expression system produced biologically active recombinant catfish gonadotropins, enabling the study of their function in the catfish.

Pengembangan Budidaya Ikan Lele Clarias gariepinus INTENSIF Berbasis Teknologi Bioflok di Kelurahan Liabuku Kota Baubau Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara

The cultivation of catfish Clarias gariepinus is very promising to be developed in Baubau City. However, the practice of catfish culture by farmers is still conventional, and the impact on catfish production results obtained by fish farmers is relatively low. The strategy is to develop intensive catfish culture using biofloc technology. This community service activity aims to provide farmers with knowledge regarding intensive catfish farming using the biofloc system. The method of this program is carried out using socialization of the program and the practice of catfish culture using the biofloc system. This activity results in farmers creating biofloc ponds, culture flocks, calculating carbon requirements, managing water quality, feed management, and disease control.

Application aquaponics biofloc of sangkuriang catfish (Clarias sp.)

The value of catfish production in Indonesia has decreased drastically every year. Increasing stocking density can be a solution to increase production, but it will have a negative impact on decreasing water quality which will also disrupt catfish production. Therefore, it needs to be accompanied by the application of biofloc and aquaponics technology which plays a role in maintaining optimal water quality while providing additional natural feed (floc) which can reduce feed use and reduce water usage. This study aims to increase the production value of sangkuriang catfish through the application of biofloc and aquaponic systems. This research was conducted in October-November 2022 at the Raudhatul Ulum Sakatiga Agribusiness Group, Ogan Ilir Regency. This study was designed using a comparison experiment. The treatments given consisted of P0 (control), P1 (Maintenance of sangkuriang catfish aquaponic biofloc of kale plant), and P2 (Maintenance of Sangkuriang catfish aquaponic biofloc of lettuce plant). The results showed that P2 was the best treatment which resulted in absolute growth in weight and length of 7.18 g and 3.74 cm, survival of 98%, and growth in length of kale of 30.9 cm.Keywords: aquaponics; biofloc; sangkuriang catfish

Physicochemical Characterization and Fatty Acid Profiles of Catfish Oil (Clarias gariepinus)

Indonesian aquaculture cultivation production of catfish has been growing faster than other fish. It is a potential source of fish oil and contains polyunsaturated fatty acids that have health benefits. The objective of this study was to perform physicochemical characterization and fatty acid profile of catfish oil. This study used fish oil extracted from the head and the flesh of catfish using dry rendering with a mechanic press. The result showed that catfish flesh oil (CFO) and catfish head oil (CHO) were significantly different parameters (p&lt;0.05) in terms of physicochemical characteristics including acid value, peroxide value, iodine value, and saponification value. The best characteristics are catfish flesh oil than catfish head oil for acid value, peroxide value, iodine value, and saponification value following the number is 2.17 mg KOH/g, 5.15 meqO2/kg, 76.13 I2/100 g, 175.86 mg KOH/g. The predominant fatty acids were oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids. These catfish oils are found suitable for consumption for beneficial health effects.

Influence of Channel Catfish and Channel × Blue Catfish Hybrids on Myxozoan Community Composition in Catfish Aquaculture Ponds

AbstractThe myxozoan Henneguya ictaluri is cited as the cause of proliferative gill disease (PGD) in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and Channel × Blue Catfish I. furcatus hybrids. Differences in host susceptibility result in decreased transmission rates, reduced sporogenesis, and lesser incidence of PGD in hybrid catfish. In experimental pond trials, continuous monoculture of hybrid catfish suppressed H. ictaluri abundance in pond systems compared to Channel Catfish monoculture. The present study examined differences in myxozoan community structure in catfish ponds stocked with Channel Catfish or hybrid catfish. Experimental ponds (0.4 ha) dedicated to Channel Catfish or hybrid catfish monoculture were maintained over three production cycles. Pond water collected during the spring of each year was subjected to metagenomic analysis by targeted amplicon sequencing of a diagnostic hypervariable region (DVR3) of the myxozoan 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Relative abundance of H. ictaluri was significantly greater in Channel Catfish ponds than in hybrid catfish ponds during years 2 and 3. In hybrid catfish ponds, H. ictaluri never exceeded 20% average relative abundance. Hybrid catfish ponds also revealed decreased myxozoan diversity and species evenness compared to Channel Catfish ponds, suggesting that myxozoan taxa associated with Channel Catfish may not be well adapted to the hybridized host. Results corroborate previous research indicating that hybrid catfish monoculture can suppress H. ictaluri compared to ponds that are devoted to Channel Catfish. These data imply that alternating catfish culture species in ponds (crop rotation) has the potential to mitigate PGD by precluding H. ictaluri from accumulating within ponds to levels associated with disease and catastrophic loss. Further, this work identified numerous previously unidentified taxa present within these systems that clustered phylogenetically with both catfish and noncatfish hosts. The impacts that these other myxozoans have on catfish health and production are unknown, but their presence indicates that myxozoan diversity within catfish aquaculture ponds has been greatly underestimated and is significantly influenced by stocking choice.