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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #347160

Research Project: Genetics, Breeding and Reproductive Physiology to Enhance Production of Catfish

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Title: Effect of post-spawning broodfish diet with high lipid content and n-3 fatty acids on reproductive performance of channel catfish

Author
item Chatakondi, Nagaraj
item LI, MENGHE - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Aquaculture America Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/26/2017
Publication Date: 2/19/2018
Citation: Chatakondi, N.G., Li, M.H. 2018. Effect of post-spawning broodfish diet with high lipid content and n-3 fatty acids on reproductive performance of channel catfish. Aquaculture America Conference. P. 90.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Channel x blue hybrid catfish are exclusively produced by hormone-induced spawning protocols and this process has proved to be a reliable method to mass produce hybrid catfish in hatcheries. Strip spawning of channel catfish needs a continuous and reliable supply of mature (gravid) fish during the spawning season. However, availability of gravid females in required numbers is a limitation to meet the production goal in hatcheries. Past studies in other fish species suggest maturation and reproductive performance can be improved by lipid enhanced diet. Lipids provide high energy density and critical cellular functions during reproduction phase. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine whether higher lipid feed improves maturation and reproductive performance of channel catfish to enhance hybrid catfish fry production. A six-month post-spawning feeding trial was conducted from October 2015 to April 2016 to evaluate two commercial broodfish diets: High lipid broodfish feed (14% lipid) and a Low lipid broodfish feed (7% lipid) at USDA ARS Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit, Stoneville, MS. Mixed strain of 3-year old female channel catfish were stocked in twelve 0.25 acre ponds stocked with 50 fish per pond with an approximate stocking density of 1200 pounds per acre. Six ponds were randomly assigned to each feed and the designated feed was fed 3 times a week to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, post-spawning diets did not influence the growth performance of channel catfish but variations in proportion of maturing fish were evident in both the treatments. Percent of gravid females per pond were higher in high lipid feed fed broodfish in early (37.7% vs 26.2%) and peak (42% vs 34.5%) portion of the spawning season (P =0.07) compared to the low lipid feed fed broodfish. Mean percent ovulation, fecundity, fertilization, and hatch did not differ between the two groups of gravid channel catfish in hybrid catfish fry production. High lipid broodfish feed had higher lipid content, n-3 fatty acids, and n-3 long chain fatty acids than the Low lipid broodfish feed, and also translated higher lipid and fatty acids to oocytes. However, translation of higher lipid and fatty acids in oocytes did not improve egg quality, fecundity and hatching success. Results of this study and relevant studies in future to improve catfish reproduction and hybrid catfish fry production will be discussed.