PRODUCTION GUIDELINES FOR SMALL-SCALE AND HOME-USE CATFISH FARMING

Updated from, Kentucky Aquatic Farming, 17(2): 6

 

(view also as PDF)

 

William A. Wurts, Senior State Specialist for Aquaculture

Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program

http://www.ca.uky.edu/wkrec/Wurtspage.htm

 

The following provides some information to consider for potential producers who are thinking about becoming involved in low-input channel catfish farming.

 

First Stocking

• 1,500 fingerlings/acre (April or October)
• fingerling size = 45-g fish

 

Single, Annual Stocking

• Initial stocking – mid-April or late September to mid-October
• 1500, 45-g fingerlings/acre/year, re-stock at the beginning of each October
• Projected annual biomass = 2,000 lb/ac
• Harvest before re-stocking

 

Multiple, Annual Stockings – “Expert” Small-Scale Catfish Production

• Stock 2 times per year
• stock 1,000 (45-g) fingerlings/acre, twice -- once in October and again in April (maximum of 2,000 fingerlings/acre/year total)
• Projected annual biomass = 2,400-2,600 lb/ac (possibly 3,000 lb/ac with precision, size-selective and multiple harvests.
• Harvest before each re-stocking

 

Desired Timing for Multiple Harvests

• Double, size-selective harvest:  once in October and once in April
• Multiple, size-selective harvests:  October through June

 

Anticipated Annual Mean Harvest Weights (Individual)

• April to late September grow-out (same year) = 1.25- to1.3-lb fish
• October to late September grow-out (one year) = 1.5-lb fish
• Harvest pond when fish have consumed 30 lb feed/acre/day for 2 weeks

 

Maximum Daily Feed for both Single and Multiple Stocking Practices  

• 30 lb/acre/day

 

For related information click on the topics below:
SMALL-SCALE AND HOME-USE CHANNEL CATFISH FARMING IN KENTUCKY
World Aquaculture, 35(3): 8-9.

 

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