Open AccessEvaluation of Growth and Disease Resistance of USDA103, USDA303, USDA102, and USDA102 × USDA103 Strains of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
Author(s) -
Peterson Brian C.,
Bilodeau Lanie,
Bosworth Brian G.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.2007.00140.x
Subject(s) - ictalurus , catfish , edwardsiella ictaluri , biology , zoology , feed conversion ratio , fish <actinopterygii> , aquaculture , fish farming , fishery , body weight , veterinary medicine , endocrinology , medicine
USDA103, USDA303, USDA102, and USDA102 × USDA103 strains of channel catfish (27.7 ± 0.7 g/fish) were fed daily for 6 wk. Feed consumption and weight gain were highest ( P < 0.001) in USDA103, USDA303, and USDA102 × USDA103 fish. USDA102 fish exhibited the poorest ( P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio. Fillet and whole‐body content were similar ( P > 0.05) among strains when final weight was used as a covariate. USDA103, USDA303, and USDA102 × USDA103 strains had higher ( P < 0.01) protein efficiency ratios compared to USDA102. In a second study, the four groups of catfish (22.2 ± 1.9 g/fish) were challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri and mortality was recorded for 3 wk postchallenge. Survival was higher ( P < 0.02) for USDA303 and USDA102 × USDA103 fish. Results of these studies demonstrate that the USDA103 and USDA303 strains of catfish were superior in growth performance. Results of the bacterial challenge show that the USDA303 and USDA102 × USDA103 strains of fish exhibited increased survival. Continued selection of the USDA103 line and crossing this line of fish with lines of fish such as the USDA102 strain may produce fish with desirable growth and disease characteristics.