Channel Catfish Farming Handbook

Although catfish have been farmed for about 30 years and catfish farm ing is the most successful aquacultural enterprise in the United States, there are those who contend that catfish farming is still as much of an "art" as it is a science. This position is difficult to refute completely, particularly considering that some practices used in catfish farming ap pear to have little scientific basis. Skill coupled with a small dose of mysticism certainly playa role in the culture of catfish, and the catfish producer is faced with the unenviable task of rearing an animal in an environment that requires considerable management. Certain aspects may still be an "art" because research and technical information needed to support the industry have lagged behind industry growth; however, the basic principles underlying catfish farming are based on sound scientific evidence whose foundation was laid in the 1950s by work conducted at state and federal fish hatcheries in the southeastern and midwestern United States. Since that time, several university and government laboratories have expanded the scientific base for catfish farming. As a result, considerable information is available, but it is gen erally fragmented and exists in a multitude of diverse scientific and trade journals. The material is often too technical or abstract to be com prehensible to fish culturists and personnel in allied industries. This book fits the definition of the term handbook in the sense that it is intended as a book of instruction or guidance as well as a reference.

This book is a single convenient source of information that covers priority areas of research in channel catfish aquaculture. Recent Developments in Catfish Aquaculture compiles some of the latest research in the field as presented at the Catfish Research Symposium. The editors present a diverse collection of chapters that illustrates recent research efforts in catfish culture and shows the scope of research that is being conducted in nutrition, genetics, water quality management, economics, fish health, and pond production systems. Some of the contributing authors’chapters are developmental but many contain information that can be immediately applied to commercial situations to improve production efficiency. A variety of subjects are covered in this catfish resource, including: Health Issues: immunology, vaccination, selection, drug evaluation, nutritional causes Genetics: hybridization, selection Hatchery Management: new techniques to incubate eggs; control of fungus on developing eggs; evaluation of mechanical graders Production Economics: comparison of different approaches Water Quality: discovery and identification of an algae that kills catfish; off-flavor; water circulators Nutrition: effects of feed on growth and fattiness of fish; nutritionally induced health problems Food Technology: impedance microbiology for evaluation and safety of processed catfish Behavior: behavioral interactions and feeding behavior Recent Developments in Catfish Aquaculture shows the paradox that exists in catfish farming research. On one hand, extremely sophisticated research is being used to solve complex problems. On the other, the basic method of raising catfish has not yet been determined. Several chapters describe important new developments in the field and will lead to important breakthroughs and developments in the future. This volume is required reading for those conducting catfish research or catfish culture, including university and federal aquaculture researchers as well as students. They will find it useful as a reference guide, and catfish farmers will find it helpful as a guide to recent advances in production technology.