Catfish are retained in a holding net overnight to eliminate small catfish. Fish are crowded for loading onto the transport truck. A crew of 5 can load 15,000 kg of fish in 1 hour. The world angling record is caught in santee cooper reservoir, south carolina. Catfish are grown in 4 to 10 ha earthen ponds with flat bottoms. | BY Leonard Lovshin Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures Auburn University, AL 36849 CHANNEL CATFISH CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES Channel catfish culture in the United States by Leonard Lovshin, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) The scientific name for the channel catfish is Ictalurus punctatus. The channel catfish is distinguished from other native catfishes by its black spots and forked tail. Native Range of Channel Catfish in the United States The channel catfish is native to the Mississippi drainage basin from Canada to Mexico and the southeastern Gulf Coast and Florida. The channel catfish has been introduced to most states in the continental United States. Food Habits Channel catfish are omnivorous, eating a wide range of fishes, crustaceans and benthic insect larvae. As the channel catfish grows larger, its diet becomes more piscivorous. Channel catfish over 1 kg eat fish and crustaceans . | BY Leonard Lovshin Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures Auburn University, AL 36849 CHANNEL CATFISH CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES Channel catfish culture in the United States by Leonard Lovshin, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) The scientific name for the channel catfish is Ictalurus punctatus. The channel catfish is distinguished from other native catfishes by its black spots and forked tail. Native Range of Channel Catfish in the United States The channel catfish is native to the Mississippi drainage basin from Canada to Mexico and the southeastern Gulf Coast and Florida. The channel catfish has been introduced to most states in the continental United States. Food Habits Channel catfish are omnivorous, eating a wide range of fishes, crustaceans and benthic insect larvae. As the channel catfish grows larger, its diet becomes more piscivorous. Channel catfish over 1 kg eat fish and crustaceans almost exclusively. Preferred Habitat Rivers Reservoirs and lakes Channel catfish live in a wide variety of habitats from fast flowing rivers and stagnant water reservoirs and lakes. MaximumWeight The world angling record is kg caught in Santee Cooper reservoir, South Carolina Channel catfish are popular among anglers. Maximum weight in the wild is 23 to 27 kg. Reproductive Live History 1. Sexual maturity is reached in 2 to 3 years in the southeastern U. S. 2. Spawning takes place in a cavity formed by rocks, logs or a hole in a lake or river bank. 3. Preferred spawning water temperatures: 21-29 C, with optimal temperature 24 to 26 C. Channel catfish reach sexual maturity in 2 to 3 years in the Southeastern U. S. Fish of at least 3 years of age are preferred by farmers as brood fish. Channel catfish living in northern climates may reach sexual maturity in 4 to 5 years. Spawning begins when water temperatures remain above 21oC for 24 hours. Preferred water temperature for spawning is
