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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #305828
Title: Effects of chronic upper temperature regimes on growth of two geographic strains of channel and hybrid catfish

Author
item STEWART, HEATHER - Mississippi State University
item Bosworth, Brian
item PETRIE-HANSON, LORA - Mississippi State University
item MARTIN, JAMES - Mississippi State University
item ALLEN, PETER - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Aquaculture Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2014
Publication Date: 10/1/2015
Citation: Stewart, H.A., Bosworth, B.G., Petrie-Hanson, L., Martin, J., Allen, P.J. 2015. Effects of chronic upper temperature regimes on growth of two geographic strains of channel and hybrid catfish. Aquaculture Research. 46:2407-2417.

Interpretive Summary: Two geographic strains of channel catfish (Red River, North Dakota or northern and Delta Select, MS or southern) and a hybrid cross of southern channel catfish with a strain of blue catfish were examined for growth and survival in high temperature regimes that mimicked pond-like conditions and extreme conditions that may occur under predictions of future climate change. The two geographic strains of channel catfish both grew slower at the highest temperatures compared to optimal temperatures. Hybrid catfish growth did not change with temperature, and survival was higher in hybrid catfish than channel catfish.

Technical Abstract: Climate change is a growing concern for pond culture of catfish, due to possible exacerbation of temperature fluctuations and increased maximum daily temperatures. Because channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) have a broad natural distribution from Canada to Mexico, it was hypothesized that natural differences in thermal tolerance and seasonal growth may be attributed to different geographical strains. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that these differences would be observed in hybrid catfish (I. punctatus x [blue catfish] I. furcatus). Chronic thermal tolerance and growth rate were quantified in two geographically distinct strains of channel catfish and a corresponding hybrid catfish from one of these strains with a cross to an industry standard blue catfish strain. In a 6-week growth experiment, catfish were subjected to daily cycling temperatures of either 27–31°C or 32–36°C, mimicking pond fluctuations. Hybrid catfish had the highest survival at both temperatures, and both strains of channel catfish had greater growth in weight or length at 27–31°C than at 32–36°C. Therefore, these results indicate that physiological performance, in terms of growth, decreases in channel catfish at temperatures greater than 27–31°C regardless of geographical origin of strain, whereas hybrid catfish did not show a decrease in weight under the same temperature conditions.