Progress 09/01/06 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Catfish Nutrition: There have been some interests in raising blue catfish because blue catfish appear to be more resistant to diseases that are more specific to channel catfish. Although some research has been conducted comparing these two species, there is still lack of information on the growth, feed efficiency, survival, processing yield, body composition, and dietary requirements of blue catfish compared to that of channel catfish. A comparative study was conducted on growth and protein requirements of channel and blue catfish. Four diets containing 24, 28, 32, or 36% protein were fed to both channel (initial weight: 6.9 g/fish) and blue catfish (6.6 g/fish) for two growing seasons. There were significant interactions between dietary protein and fish species for weight gain and feed conversion ratio. No significant differences were observed in weight gain of channel catfish fed various protein diets, whereas higher-protein diets (32% and 36%) resulted in better weight gain in blue catfish than lower-protein diets (24% and 28%). No consistent differences were observed in the feed conversion ratio of channel catfish fed various levels of dietary protein, whereas significantly higher feed conversion ratios were noted in blue catfish fed the 24%- and 28%-protein diets compared with fish fed 32%- and 36%-protein diets. Regardless of dietary protein levels, blue catfish had higher carcass, nugget, and total meat yield, and higher fillet moisture and protein, but lower fillet yield and fillet fat. Regardless of fish species, fish fed the 36%-protein diet had higher carcass, fillet, and total meat yield than fish fed the 28%- and 32%-protein diets, which in turn had higher yields than fish fed the 24%-protein diet. It appears that blue catfish can be successfully cultured by feeding a 32%-protein diet. Acoustics: Four SONAR units have been assembled and used at commercial and research farms. A fifth unit is under assembly. The comparison of predicted to actual biomass values indicates preliminary agreement of approximately 30%. This comparison is ongoing as harvests are conducted. Recent measurements on smaller (110-230 g) fish suggest that the prediction model may predict the number of fish better than the biomass in a pond. Variances are also attributable to pond bottom properties (entrained gas) and fish behavior (motion). A patent was filed in 2007. Potential manufacturers or vendors have expressed interest and two investment firms inquired about using the technology to evaluate pond inventories before farm purchases. A site visit proposal is under review by one. Two spin off technologies: an individual fish-sizer to determine the size distribution of fish in a pond and a low cost ($100) vertical temperature probe, to possibly indicate pond turnover, are under investigation in separate efforts PARTICIPANTS: Craig S. Tucker, Research Professor and Principle Investigator Role: Coordinate all research activities related to the project. Edwin H. Robinson, Research Professor and Principle Investigator Role: Coordinate and manage all research activities related to the project. Menghe H. Li, Research Professor and Principle Investigator Role: Coordinate and manage all research activities related to the project. Daniel F. Oberle, Research Associate III Role: Provide assistance in data collection and analysis. Penelope M. Lucas, Research Associate I Role: Provide assistance in sample collection and analysis. Sandra K. Phillips, Technician Role: Provide assistance in sample collection and analysis. C. Cliff Smith, Technician Role: Provide assistance in sample collection and analysis. Penelope M. Lucas, Research Associate I Role: Provide assistance in sample collection and analysis. Billy Rutland, Pond Manager Role: Oversee all routine fish culture activities. A. Lee McIntire Jr., Assistant Pond Manager Role: Oversee fish stocking and harvesting. Mancel D. Townsend, Technician Role: Stock, feed, and harvest fish, conduct other pond management activities. Alvin C. Weeks, Technician Role: Stock, feed, and harvest fish, conduct other pond management activities. Richard N. Brooks II, Technician Role: Stock, feed, and harvest fish, conduct other pond management activities. Michael E. Thompson, Technician Role: Stock, feed, and harvest fish, conduct other pond management activities TARGET AUDIENCES: Catfish feed mills Catfish fingerling and food fish producers Catfish hybrid producers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Development of cost-effective feeds will reduce feed and production costs. Successful culture of blue catfish will diversify the aquaculture species and may reduce disease occurrence and therefore increase farm profits. Acoustic instrumentation, to assess fish biomass in commercial grow-out ponds, represents a valuable tool for quantifying assets, optimizing production and studying fish behavior. The individual fish-sizer should complement the biomass data from the Aquascanner by providing a size distribution.
Publications
- Bosworth, B.G, Silverstein, J.T., Wolters, W.R., Li, M.H., and Robinson, E.H. 2007. Family, strain, gender, and dietary protein effects on production and processing traits of Norris and NWAC103 strains of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 69:106-115.
- Robinson, E.H. and Li, M.H. 2007. Catfish feeds and feeding. Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Bulletin No. 1163, Mississippi State, MS.
- Robinson, E.H. and Li, M.H. 2007. Effects of fish size and feeding frequency on catfish production. Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Bulletin Research Report Vol. 24, No. 2.
- Robinson, E.H. and Li, M.H. 2007. Catfish protein nutrition: revised. Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Bulletin No. 1159, Mississippi State, MS.
- Li, M.H. and Robinson, E.H. 2007. Use of distillers dried grains with solubles in channel catfish diets. 31st Fish Feed and Nutrition Workshop, Auburn University, AL. Abstract No. 5.
- Li, M.H., Robinson, E.H. Robinson, and Bosworth, B.G. 2007. Effects of dietary protein concentration and L-carnitine on growth, processing yield, and body composition of channel blue catfish Ictalurus punctatus x I. furcatus F1 hybrids. World Aquaculture, San Antonia, TX, p 526, poster. Refereed. Lim, C., Yildirim-Aksoy, M., Li, M.H., Welker, T., and Klesius, P.H. 2007. Growth, immune response and resistance to Streptococcus iniae of Nile tilapia fed diets containing various levels of vitamins C and E. 31st Fish Feed and Nutrition Workshop, Auburn University, AL, Abstract No. 10.
- Manning, B.B., Li, M.H., and Coggins, P.C. 2007. Development of omega-3 enriched channel catfish fillets with dietary marine fish oil to yield a nutrient-enriched, value-added food product. International Food Technology Conference, Chicago, IL. Abstract
- Li, M.H., Robinson, E.H., Oberle, D.F., and Zimba, P.V. 2007. Effects of various dietary carotenoid pigments on fillet appearance and pigment absorption in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 38:557-563.
- Li, M.H., Robinson, E.H., and Bosworth, B.G. 2007. Effects of dietary protein concentration and L-carnitine on growth, processing yield, and body composition of channel x blue catfish F1 hybrids. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 69:229-234.
- Li, M.H., Robinson, E.H., Oberle, D.F., and Bosworth, B.G. 2007. Proximate composition and collagen concentration of processing residue of channel catfish. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 69:211-213.
- Manning, B.B., Li, M.H., and Robinson, E.H. 2007. Feeding channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, diets amended with refined marine fish oil elevates omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in fillets. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 38:49-58.
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Progress 09/01/06 to 08/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Catfish Nutrition: There have been some interests in raising blue catfish because blue catfish appear to be more resistant to diseases that are more specific to channel catfish. Although some research has been conducted comparing these two species, there is still lack of information on the growth, feed efficiency, survival, processing yield, body composition, and dietary requirements of blue catfish compared to that of channel catfish. A comparative study was conducted on growth and protein requirements of channel and blue catfish. Four diets containing 24, 28, 32, or 36% protein were fed to both channel (initial weight: 6.9 g/fish) and blue catfish (6.6 g/fish) for two growing seasons. There were significant interactions between dietary protein and fish species for weight gain and feed conversion ratio. No significant differences were observed in weight gain of channel catfish fed various protein diets, whereas higher-protein diets (32% and 36%) resulted in better weight gain in blue catfish than lower-protein diets (24% and 28%). No consistent differences were observed in the feed conversion ratio of channel catfish fed various levels of dietary protein, whereas significantly higher feed conversion ratios were noted in blue catfish fed the 24%- and 28%-protein diets compared with fish fed 32%- and 36%-protein diets. Regardless of dietary protein levels, blue catfish had higher carcass, nugget, and total meat yield, and higher fillet moisture and protein, but lower fillet yield and fillet fat. Regardless of fish species, fish fed the 36%-protein diet had higher carcass, fillet, and total meat yield than fish fed the 28%- and 32%-protein diets, which in turn had higher yields than fish fed the 24%-protein diet. It appears that blue catfish can be successfully cultured by feeding a 32%-protein diet. Acoustics: Four SONAR units have been assembled and used at commercial and research farms. A fifth unit is under assembly. The comparison of predicted to actual biomass values indicates preliminary agreement of approximately 30%. This comparison is ongoing as harvests are conducted. Recent measurements on smaller (1/4 - 1/2 lb) fish suggest that the prediction model may predict the number of fish better than the biomass in a pond. Variances are also attributable to pond bottom properties (entrained gas) and fish behavior (motion). A patent was filed in 2007. Potential manufacturers or vendors have expressed interest and two investment firms inquired about using the technology to evaluate pond inventories before farm purchases. A site visit proposal is under review by one. Two spin off technologies: an individual fish-sizer to determine the size distribution of fish in a pond and a low cost ($100) vertical temperature probe, to possibly indicate pond turnover, are under investigation in separate efforts. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Impact: Development of cost-effective feeds will reduce feed and production costs. Successful culture of blue catfish will diversify the aquaculture species and may reduce disease occurrence and therefore increase farm profits. Acoustic instrumentation, to assess fish biomass in commercial grow-out ponds, represents a valuable tool for quantifying assets, optimizing production and studying fish behavior. The individual fish-sizer should complement the biomass data from the Aquascanner by providing a size distribution. Non-Technical Summary: Blue catfish appear to require higher dietary protein for maximum growth than channel catfish. Blue catfish fed 32% and 36% protein diets grew and converted the feed at the same rate as channel catfish, but blue catfish did not grew well on 24% and 28%. It appears that blue catfish can be cultured by feeding 32%-protein diets in the S.E. United States. Several Aquascanner units have been assembled and used at commercial and research farms in the Mississippi Delta. A patent application has been filed, potential manufacturers have been identified and private equity investors have made inquiries about its use for evaluating pond inventories.
Publications
- Li, M.H., E.H. Robinson, D.F. Oberle, and P.V. Zimba. 2007. Effects of various dietary carotenoid pigments on fillet appearance and pigment absorption in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. J. World Aquacult. Soc. 38:557-563.
- Li, M.H., E.H. Robinson, and B.G. Bosworth. 2007. Effects of dietary protein concentration and L-carnitine on growth, processing yield, and body composition of channel x blue catfish F1 hybrids. N. Am. J. Aquacult. 69:229-234.
- Li, M.H., E.H. Robinson, D.F. Oberle, and B.G. Bosworth. 2007. Proximate composition and collagen concentration of processing residue of channel catfish. N. Am. J. Aquacult. 69:211-213.
- Manning, B.B., M.H. Li, and E.H. Robinson. 2007. Feeding channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, diets amended with refined marine fish oil elevates omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in fillets. J. World Aquacult. Soc. 38:49-58.
- Bosworth, B.G, J.T. Silverstein, W.R. Wolters, M.H. Li, and E.H. Robinson. 2007. Family, strain, gender, and dietary protein effects on production and processing traits of Norris and NWAC103 strains of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. N. Am. J. Aquacult. 69:106-115.
- Robinson, E.H. and M.H. Li. 2007. Catfish feeds and feeding. Mississippi Agric. For. Exp. Sta. Bull. 1163.
- Robinson, E.H. and M.H. Li. 2007. Effects of fish size and feeding frequency on catfish production. Mississippi Agric. For. Exp. Sta. Res. Rep.Vol. 24, No. 2.
- Robinson, E.H. and M.H. Li. 2007. Catfish protein nutrition: revised. Mississippi Agric. For. Exp. Sta. Bull. No. 1159.
- Li, M.H. and E.H. Robinson. 2007. Use of distillers dried grains with solubles in channel catfish diets. 31st Fish Feed and Nutrition Workshop, Auburn Univ., AL. Abstract No. 5.
- Li, M.H., E.H. Robinson, B.G. Bosworth. 2007. Effects of dietary protein concentration and L-carnitine on growth, processing yield, and body composition of channel x blue catfish Ictalurus punctatus x I. furcatus F1 hybrids. World Aquaculture, San Antonia, TX, p 526, poster. Refereed. Lim, C., M. Yildirim-Aksoy, M.H. Li, T. Welker, and P.H. Klesius. 2007. Growth, immune response and resistance to Streptococcus iniae of Nile tilapia fed diets containing various levels of vitamins C and E. 31st Fish Feed and Nutrition Workshop, Auburn Univ., AL, Abstract No. 10.
- Manning, B.B., M.H. Li, and P.C. Coggins. 2007. Development of omega-3 enriched channel catfish fillets with dietary marine fish oil to yield a nutrient-enriched, value-added food product. International Food Technology Conference, Chicago, IL. Abstract.
- James P. Chambers, Henry E. Bass, Ken Gilbert, Dan Kleinert. 2007. "Underwater Biomass Assessment Device," UM-3270 - US Provisional Patent filed Docket No 11636N/04182
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Progress 09/01/06 to 09/01/07
Outputs
There have been some interests in raising blue catfish because blue catfish appear to be more disease resistant. Although some research has been conducted comparing these two species, there is still lack of information on the growth, feed efficiency, survival, processing yield, body composition, and dietary requirements of blue catfish compared to that of channel catfish. A feeding trial was initiated in 2006 to compare channel and blue catfish fed diets containing various protein levels for growth, survival, processing yield, and body composition. In March 2006, fingerlings of similar size from both species (initial size: blue catfish 6.9 g/fish; channel catfish 6.6 g/fish) were stocked separately in 48, 400-m2 (0.1 acre) ponds at a rate of 18,525 fish/ha (7,500 fish/acre). Six ponds were used for each diet x fish species combination. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation with one of four experimental diets containing 24, 28, 32, and 36% protein for a growing
season. From December 2006 to February 2007, fish are not fed which is a typical industry practice. Feeding will be resumed in March 2007 and continued until October 2007 when all fish will be counted and weighed. Data to be collected include net production, weight gain per fish, feed conversion, carcass and fillet yield, and proximate composition of the edible tissue.
Impacts
Development of cost-effective feeds will reduce feed and production costs. Successful culture of blue catfish will diversify the aquaculture species and may reduce disease occurrence and therefore increase farm profits. Non-Technical Summary: Diets containing various levels of protein were fed to channel and blue catfish in earthen ponds during the 2006 growing season and will continue to be fed in 2007. At the end of 2007 growing season, net production, weight gain, feed conversion, processing yield, and body composition will be determined.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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