Channel Catfish Farming Handbook

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. Introduction

   1. Introduction

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 1-6

3. Biology of the Channel Catfish

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 7-8

      PDF

   2. General Biology

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 9-18

   3. Life History and Reproductive Biology

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 19-26

   4. Genetics

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 27-38

   5. Environmental Requirements

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 39-60

   6. Nutrition

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 61-107

4. Cultural Practices

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 109-109

      PDF

   2. Breeding

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 111-134

   3. Egg and Fry Production

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 135-163

   4. Fingerling and Food-Fish Production in Ponds

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 165-216

   5. Water Quality Management in Ponds

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 217-290

   6. Feeds and Feeding Practices

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 291-315

   7. Infectious Diseases

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 317-380

   8. Harvesting and Transporting

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 381-403

   9. Alternative Culture Systems

      • Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

      Pages 405-427

5. Back Matter

   Pages 429-454

   PDF

Although catfish have been farmed for about 30 years and catfish farm­ ing is the most successful aquacultural enterprise in the United States, there are those who contend that catfish farming is still as much of an "art" as it is a science. This position is difficult to refute completely, particularly considering that some practices used in catfish farming ap­ pear to have little scientific basis. Skill coupled with a small dose of mysticism certainly playa role in the culture of catfish, and the catfish producer is faced with the unenviable task of rearing an animal in an environment that requires considerable management. Certain aspects may still be an "art" because research and technical information needed to support the industry have lagged behind industry growth; however, the basic principles underlying catfish farming are based on sound scientific evidence whose foundation was laid in the 1950s by work conducted at state and federal fish hatcheries in the southeastern and midwestern United States. Since that time, several university and government laboratories have expanded the scientific base for catfish farming. As a result, considerable information is available, but it is gen­ erally fragmented and exists in a multitude of diverse scientific and trade journals. The material is often too technical or abstract to be com­ prehensible to fish culturists and personnel in allied industries. This book fits the definition of the term handbook in the sense that it is intended as a book of instruction or guidance as well as a reference.

• bacteria
• biology
• early life
• environment
• fish
• genetics
• nutrition
• parasites
• water

• Mississippi State University, USA

  Craig S. Tucker, Edwin H. Robinson

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