Evaluation of Growth and Disease Resistance of USDA103, USDA303, USDA102, and USDA102 x USDA103 Strains of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

• Published in: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 113 - 119
• Main Authors: Peterson, Brian C, Bilodeau, Lanie, Bosworth, Brian G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA : Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.02.2008
• Subjects: animal growth; bacterial infections; body composition; catfish; disease resistance; Edwardsiella ictaluri; feed conversion; feed intake; fish culture; Freshwater; Ictalurus punctatus; liveweight gain; mortality; strains
• ISSN: 0893-8849; 1749-7345
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-7345.2007.00140.x

USDA103, USDA303, USDA102, and USDA102 x 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 x 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 x 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 x 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 x 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.