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Research Project: Field Evaluation of ‘Portable Electrosedation System’ (PES) to Sedate Ovulating Channel Catfish to Produce Hybrid Catfish... on Jubilee Farms

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Project Number: 6066-31000-016-029-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: May 1, 2019
End Date: Apr 30, 2020

Objective:
The objective of this research is to train hatchery managers to sedate ovulating Channel Catfish with Portable Electrosedation System (PES) for hybrid catfish fry production in commercial hatcheries. PES sedates fish quickly and effectively. The dose and duration of PES can be better controlled to facilitate reduced post-spawning mortalities of Channel Catfish in hybrid catfish hatcheries.

Approach:
Approach: Ovulating Channel catfish will be sedated either with chemical sedative (MS222, tricaine methanesulfonate) or physical sedative, Portable Electrosedation System (PES) under commercial hatchery conditions. 100 fish will be assessed for each sedation method. Reproductive performance (fecundity, hatch and fry/kg BW) will be determined for each sedation method. PES sedated fish will be adipose fin clipped for identification and MS222 sedated fish will not be clipped after sedation. Sedated fish will be monitored for disease or mortality for 9 months. Improved handling protocols for adoption of PES sedation in commercial hybrid catfish hatcheries will be developed.