Effects of Co‐stocking Smallmouth Buffalo,Ictiobus bubalus,with Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus |
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| Authors: | Charles C Mischke Matt J Griffin David J Wise Terrence E Greenway |
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| Institution: | 1. Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, Stoneville, Mississippi 38776, USA;2. Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center, Aquatic Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Stoneville, Mississippi 38776, USA |
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| Abstract: | Proliferative gill disease (PGD) in catfish is caused by the myxozoan Henneguya ictaluri. The complex life cycle requires Dero digitata as the oligochaete host. Efforts to control PGD by eradicating D. digitata have been unsuccessful. Smallmouth buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus, (SMB) are opportunistic bottom feeders and a putative option for controlling D. digitata. In 2011, 15 ponds (0.4 ha) were stocked with 5000 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus; 7 of these 15 ponds were also stocked with 300 SMB fingerlings. There were no differences in benthic invertebrate numbers or water quality variables between ponds with or without SMB. At harvest, there were no differences in percent survival, total weight, or catfish feed conversion ratio. In the second year, 18 ponds (0.4 ha) were stocked with 6000 channel catfish. Half the ponds were also stocked with 300 SMB. Sentinel fish were used to estimate disease severity, and pond water was collected for molecular estimation of H. ictaluri actinospore concentrations. Similar to the first year, there were no differences between treatments in any variable tested, including PGD severity in sentinel fish and parasite concentrations in pond water. Under these study conditions, presence of SMB did not have a measureable effect on PGD incidence, parasite density, or overall catfish production. |
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