Evaluation of a Confinement System for Growout of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus |
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| Authors: | Neil J Pugliese David Heikes Carole R Engle |
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| Institution: | Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff , Pine Bluff, Arkansas |
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| Abstract: | Rising costs of inputs have created a need to improve catfish production efficiencies. An inexpensive confinement system was evaluated for channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus foodfish production. Barriers were constructed in five 0.1-ha earthen ponds to partition ponds into 1/3 and 2/3 sections. Large fingerling (136 g) catfish were stocked at 11,115 fish/ha in the smaller 1/3 section (shallow end) of the confinement ponds or in open ponds (control). Seining efficiency was significantly greater for the confinement system. Yield and daily growth of food fish were significantly lower and feed conversion ratio higher in the confinement system compared to open ponds. Partial budget analysis showed a net loss of –$313/ha. Additional work is needed to develop inexpensive production systems to capture efficiencies of confinement without decreasing production. |
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| Keywords: | Catfish production stocker production confinement system seining efficiency partial budget |
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