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Freeze Brand Retention in Channel Catfish and Channel Catfish × Blue Catfish Hybrids
Author(s) -
Neely Ben C.,
Lynott Sean T.,
Koch Jeff D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1080/02755947.2017.1381205
Subject(s) - catfish , ictalurus , stocking , biology , fishery , hatchery , channel (broadcasting) , fish <actinopterygii> , zoology , engineering , electrical engineering
We evaluated freeze brands on Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish × male Blue Catfish I. furcatus ) to determine suitability of the technique for identification of year‐class on ictalurid catfishes. Freeze brands were applied to fish in a hatchery setting, and adipose fins were removed as a secondary mark. Marked fish were stocked into two Kansas reservoirs within 3 d after marking. Fish were sampled with a suite of gear types for 3 years after the initial stocking in 2013. All captured catfish were observed for the presence of a freeze brand and an adipose fin. A logistic regression model estimated 80% brand retention for Channel Catfish through 460 d. The logistic regression model for hybrid catfish brand retention as a function of days at large was not significant, but retention remained near 80% throughout the 3‐year study period. Results suggest that freeze brands are suitable for marking Channel Catfish and hybrid catfish in natural systems when marks should be retained for at least 1 year and up to 3 years. Received March 6, 2017; accepted September 14, 2017Published online October 30, 2017