Open AccessPRODUCTION OF CAGED CHANNEL CATFISH IN AN ILLINOIS SURFACE MINE LAKE
Author(s) -
Stickney Robert R.,
Moy Philip B.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of the world mariculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0735-0147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1985.tb00184.x
Subject(s) - ictalurus , catfish , stocking , biology , fishery , zoology , market size , fish <actinopterygii> , range (aeronautics) , materials science , commerce , business , composite material
Channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) fingerlings representing four size ranges (5.1–10.2, 10.3–15.2, 15.3–20.3 and 20.4 to 25.4 cm) were reared in 0.28 m 3 cages at densities of 600 fish/m 3 . Five replicate cages containing each size group were stocked in a surface mine lake of approximately 1.5 ha in late June, 1984. The fish were fed six days per week at the rate of 3% of body weight with feeding rate adjustments every two weeks. At harvest in mid‐October, 1984, fish stocked at an initial length range of 20.4–25.4 cm were of marketable size on average (379.8 g). Fish in the next smaller size range were marginal for marketing on the average, while those in the two smallest size ranges were submarketable. Results indicated that single season production of channel catfish in cages in southern Illinois would require the stocking of relatively large fingerlings; however, small fingerlings could be easily reared to market size in less than two complete growing seasons. The technique could provide food for owners of such water bodies and might provide supplemental income.