Effects of Low
Levels of Salinity on Production Characteristics of Fingerling Channel
Catfish Reared from Fry
C.C. O'Neal, C.R. Weirich-2001
North
American Journal of Aquaculture, 63(2): 156-160
Abstract:
Two production trials were conducted to determine the
effects of low levels of salinity on production characteristics of
fingerling channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus reared from fry under
simulated nursery pond conditions. In each trial, fry were stocked into
10,000-L earthen-bottom pools at salinities of 0, 1, 2, or 4 g NaCl/L and
reared for 170-d to produce fingerling catfish. At termination, selected
production characteristics (weight, length, total yield, percent survival,
feed conversion ratio, and feed consumption) were determined. In both
trials, final weight and length of fish was greatest at a salinity of 1 g/L.
Total yields of fish reared at salinities of 0, 1, or 2 g/L were not
significantly different; however, yield was reduced at a salinity of 4 g/L.
Survival and feed conversion ratio were not significantly affected by
salinity levels tested. The total amount of feed fed to fish reared at a
salinity of 4 g/L was significantly less than that fed to fish reared at
salinities of 0 and 1 g/L in both trials. Results of this preliminary study
suggest that production of fingerling channel catfish is unaffected at
salinities of 2 g/L or less and may even be enhanced at a salinity of 1 g/L.
(Aquaculture Research Station, Louisiana Agricultural
Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 2410 Ben
Hur Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70820, USA)