Experimental cage culture of channel catfish in Virginia

Three strains of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), from the southeastern United States were cultured in cages to select a strain that would attain a marketable size during the relatively short Virginia growing season. The strains were compared in terms of yield, survival, mean weight, food conversion, coefficient of condition, and percent marketable fish. Statistical analysis indicated that the Kansas strain was significantly different from both the Arkansas and North Carolina strains, but the latter two were not significantly different with respect to yield, mean weight, food conversion, and percent marketable fish. A financial analysis, conducted to evaluate the feasibility of culturing channel catfish in cages moored in small farm ponds, showed that the fish would have to be sold for more than $.610 per kg ($.277/lb.) to make the operation profitable. Cage culture of channel catfish is possible in Virginia, but is not generally recommended for small still-water farm ponds.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife Management

Department dc:contributor.department

Wildlife Management

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1973

Author dc:creator

• Douglass, Vaughn M.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/64688

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/64688