CIR1052

Farm-Raised Channel Catfish1

Frank A. Chapman2

Species Account in body size are unusual. Channel catfish can be sexually
differentiated at about 6 months of age and normally
Taxonomy and Distribution breed for the first time in their second or third year of life.
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) belong to the family Thereafter, catfish will usually spawn every year throughout
Ictaluridae, in the large catfish order Siluriformes. The or- their life time. The spawning season of channel catfish is
der includes over two thousand species, and most of them usually during the months of April through June; females
inhabit the fresh waters of the tropics. In the United States, start laying their eggs at water temperatures above 21°C
the family Ictaluridae is native to the water drainages east (70°F). The eggs of channel catfish are large (2.4–3.0 mm or
of the Rocky Mountains, and contains about forty-three 0.1 inches in diameter), very adhesive, and usually laid in a
recognized species. Other important commercial species in large egg mass. Females have large variation in the number
the family include the blue catfish (I. furcatus), white catfish of eggs they produce, laying between 3,000 and 50,000
I. catus), yellow bullhead (I. natalis), brown bullhead (I. eggs, depending on the age and size of the fish; improved
nebulosus), black bullhead (I.melas), and the flathead catfish spawning success (number of eggs produced, larger eggs,
(Pylodictis olivaris). and egg fertility) are observed in fish three to five years of
age. Catfish have an elaborate breeding behavior and the
Culture male usually incubates the eggs. The period of incuba-
tion (hatching time) of catfish eggs depends on water
History temperature. Eggs hatch in four to ten days at temperatures
The channel catfish is the primary species of farm-raised between 21 and 27°C (70–81°F); at optimum spawning and
fish in the United States. Leading commercial catfish incubation temperatures (25°–27°C), embryos hatch in 4 to
producing states are Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and 6 days. Young absorb their yolk sacs and begin swimming
Louisiana. The ancestry of channel catfish farm-stocks is (swim-up stage) 3–4 days after hatching. After yolk absorp-
still unknown, but the majority of them are believed to have tion, young catfish actively feed on a variety of foodstuffs
originated from Oklahoma stocks around 1949. and readily accept artificially prepared diets.

Life Cycle Characteristics Production Systems

Channel catfish are reported to live up to forty years, attain Several production and management schemes are used to
approximately 1 m (40 in.) in total length and nearly 20 kg commercially produce channel catfish. Most of the farm-
(44 lbs) in body weight. In the wild, however, fish over ten raised catfish are cultured in ponds constructed with levees.
years of age, 53 cm (21 in.) in length, and 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) Average pond size is 7.1 water hectares (17.5 acres) on 8.1

1. This document is CIR1052, one of a series of the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date July 1992.
Reviewed November 2018. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Frank A. Chapman, associate professor, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; UF/IFAS Extension,
Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to
individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County
Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.
hectares (20 acres) of land. Although this large size pond is dietary levels of crude protein vary from 25% to 36%, based
less expensive to construct, it is more difficult to manage; primarily on quality of the dietary protein and amount of
pond sizes between 5 and 10 acres are preferable. Catfish non-protein energy in the feed; starter diets for young fry
are also raised in watershed ponds, and in high-density should contain 36% to 40% crude protein. Supplemental
culture systems that make use of tanks, raceways, and cages. energy in catfish diets is provided by high quality lipids
Raising channel catfish mixed with other species of fish (fats) at levels between 3% to 16% of the total diet. From a
(polyculture) is also practiced. Figure 1 depicts a general- practical view point, however, lipid levels in catfish feeds are
ized description of a catfish farming system. kept below 6%. Catfish can utilize a wide variety of types
and amounts of carbohydrates in their food, so their levels
are usually formulated at the least cost of the diet. Vitamins
and minerals are an essential dietary requirement for
channel catfish. Because of the small amounts required and
susceptibility to degradation, catfish feeds are supplemented
with vitamin and mineral pre-mixes.

The daily feed ration for channel catfish is affected by a

variety of factors. The amount of feed provided depends
on water temperature, fish size, and water quality. Newly-
hatched fry should be fed several times daily at 6–10% of
fish weight. The daily feed ration for fingerling and brood-
fish catfish should be divided into two or more feedings per
day. In general, fingerlings are fed between 2% and 5% of
their body weight per day, and broodfish, 1% to 2% of their
weight.

YIELDS AND STOCKING DENSITIES

Fish yields and stocking densities for channel catfish are
extremely variable and vary according to system of produc-
tion used, level of management, and size and number of
fish desired at the end of the growing season. The average
WATER REQUIREMENTS yield of a fed and aerated production pond is around 4,000
Regardless of the production system employed, efficient kilograms of catfish per hectare of water (3,500 lbs/acre/
production of channel catfish requires a dependable supply year); by multiple harvesting (when fish are periodically
of large volumes of water. For example, in pond production graded and harvested) yields of 5,000–6,000 kg/ha/ year
at least 185–280 l/mm of water per hectare of pond surface (around 4900 lbs/acre/year) can be obtained. When raising
(20–30 gpm/ acre) are essential. For intensive fish produc- catfish in floating cages, yields of 275 kg of fish per cubic
tion in raceways, 5.7–7.6 m3/min (about 235 ft3/min) of meter (17 lbs/ft3) have been recorded.
water are necessary.
Young fry are stocked primarily depending on the size and
NUTRITION AND FEEDING quantity of fingerlings desired at harvest; stocking densities
from 20,000 to 70,000 fry per hectare (average 18,211 fry/
Channel catfish are efficient food converters and will gain
acre) are common. In final grow out ponds, fingerling
between 0.45 and 0.67 g of body weight per gram of food
(10–50 g) stocking rates average around 8,500–10,000 fish
consumed (e.g 1.5–2.2 lbs of feed/1lb of fish). Growth of
per hectare (3,743 fingerlings/acre). In multiple harvest
channel catfish to fingerling and edible size is influenced by
production systems, up to 24,000 fish per hectare (9,713
a variety of factors. Water temperature, quality of the diet,
fish/acre) are reported. In net enclosures, stocking densities
feeding rate, age of fish, and stocking density noticeably
for 15–20 cm (6–8 in.) long catfish fingerlings range from
affect the growth rate of the fish. Catfish require a well-
212 to 424 fish per cubic meter (6–12 fish/ft3) of cage. Net
balanced diet high in protein and energy. Dietary require-
pens are usually arranged in open patterns to allow suf-
ments, however, are based on differences in age, size, water
ficient water circulation through them. When suspended in
temperature, natural food availability in the pond, daily
ponds, total fish stocking densities inside the cages cannot
feed allowance, and stocking density of fish. Recommended

Farm-Raised Channel Catfish 2

exceed those numbers which would be achieved by growing • yolk-sac to fry (1.9–2.1 cm): 60%–80%
the fish free-swimming in the pond.
POND SURVIVAL
The time required to raise channel catfish to market size is • fry to fingerling (10–15 cm): 40%–85%
primarily dependant on water temperature, age of fish, fish
• fingerling to market: 75%–90%
density, quality of diet and level of feeding. Estimated time
to raise channel catfish from egg to food-size fish is between
15 and 18 months. In northern Florida, 7 to 9 months are Environmental Requirements
necessary to raise 10–20 cm (4–8 in.) long fingerlings to • Water temperature for
around 453 grams (1 lb). • Optimum growth: 28°C–30°C
• Optimum spawning and embryo development:
Product Forms 25°C–27°C
Most cultured channel catfish sold for food are harvested
at 340 to 680 grams (0.75–1.5 lbs) in body weight. The • Dissolved oxygen: > 4.0 mg/l.
majority of the farm-raised catfish production is delivered • Gas (e.g. Nitrogen) supersaturation: < 115%
live for processing at an annual average price between • Carbon dioxide: < 15 mg/l
$1.35 and $1.65 per kilogram (61–75 per pound). Expected
marketable fish yield is about 60–65% dressed (headed, • Hydrogen sulfide: < 1.0 mg/1
gutted, and skinless) from live weight. The nutritive value • Salinity: < 5 ppt
of channel catfish is estimated at about 116-128 kcal, 15–18
• pH: 6.5–9.0
g protein, and 0.7–11 g fat per 100 grams of raw meat (a
3.5 oz serving). About half of the farm-raised catfish is • Total alkalinity: 50–100 mg/l
marketed frozen. New product forms include skinless fillets • Total hardness: 50–100 mg/l
and breaded catfish. Also, a substantial demand for live
• Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN): < 0.5–1 mg/1
catfish exists within certain ethnic groups. Commercial
catfish growers often purchase “eyed” eggs, yolk-sac larvae,
and stock-size fingerlings. Sources of Information and
Selected References
Production and Marketing Considerable information exists on different methods for
Considerations raising channel catfish to market size. This information,
however, is primarily in the form of University Extension
The channel catfish has a wide range of tolerance to
publications. For example, the Alabama, Florida, and Mis-
environmental fluctuations, however, optimum growth
sissippi Cooperative Extension Services have several very
and production efficiency are obtained within a narrow
complete publications on the culture of channel catfish.
range of physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The
Please contact your county extension agent before ensuing
following parameters are provided only as guidelines; and
any kind of aquaculture venture, and for information on
indicate expected life cycle attributes of channel catfish
how to obtain Cooperative Extension publications. Listed
under production conditions, and water quality criteria for
below are several sources of information and essential book
best growth and reproduction.
references for those seriously interested in pursuing chan-
nel catfish farming.
Life History Characteristics
BROOD STOCK Alabama Publications. Department of Fisheries and Allied
• average weight/fish: 1.5–4 kg Aquacultures. Auburn University, Alabama 36849.
• stocking ratio for spawning: 4 females to 1 male Catfish and Aquaculture News. PO Box 199, Ridgeland,
• pond spawning success: 50%–90% Mississippi 39158.
• eggs/kg of fish: 6,000–8,000
Catfish Farmers of America. Aquaculture Association. 1100
Hwy. 82 East, Suite 202, Indiano]a, Mississippi 38751.
HATCHERY SURVIVAL
• egg to hatch: 60%–95%

Farm-Raised Channel Catfish 3

Catfish Production. National Agricultural Statistics Service. gram (g) × 0.0353 = ounces (oz)
ERS/NASS, PO Box 1608, Rockville, Maryland 20850.
Telephone: (800) 999-6779. kilogram (kg) × 2.205 = pounds (lb)

Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Department. University grams per liter × 1.0 = parts per thou.
of Florida, 7922 NW 718t St., Gainesville, Florida 32606.
Telephone: (904) 392-9617.

Lee, J.S. 1973. Commercial Catfish Farming. Interstate

Printers &Publishers. Danville: Illinois.

Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, Box 5446,

Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762.

National Aquaculture Information Center. National Agri-

cultural Library, Room 304, 1030 Baltimore Blvd., Beltsville,
Maryland 20705.

Seafood Business Magazine. Journal Publication, P.O. Box

908, Rockland, Maryland 04841.

Seafood Leader Magazine. Waterfront Press Co., 1115 NW

46th St., Seattle, Washington 98107.

Tucker, C.S. and E. Robinson. 1990. Channel catfish farm-

ing handbook. Van Nostrand Reinhold. Florence: Kentucky.

Tucker, C.S. 1985. Channel catfish culture. Developments in

aquaculture and fisheries science 15. Elsevier. Amsterdam:
The Netherlands.

Useful Unit Conversions

Temperature Relations
°F = (°C × 1.8) + 32

°C = (°F - 32) ÷ 1.8

Metric Conversions
meters (m) × 39.37 = inches (in.)

centimeters (cm) × 0.394 = inches (in.)

millimeters (mm) × 0.039 = inches (in.)

hectare (ha) × 2.471 = acres (A)

liters (l) × 0.264 = gallons (gal)

cubic meters (m3) × 35.31 = cubic feet (ft3)

gram (g) × 0.0022 = pounds (lb)

Farm-Raised Channel Catfish 4