PRODUCING - Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Table 5. SuGGESTED FEEDING RATES FOR DIFFERENT SizE CATFISH AT VARIOUS WATER TEMPERATURES MEASURED AT
ONE FooT DEEP.
Total length in
inches and average
number per pound Percent of body weight to feed daily
Average daily water 65° 67° 69° 7P 730 75° 770 79° 81°
temp. F 0 at 1 foot" -------- - - - ----- %-----------------
3" ( 100/lb) 1.5 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0 7.2 8.4 9.6 10.8
4" (50/lb) 1.5 1.8 2.7 3.6 4.5 5.4 6.3 7.2 8.1
5" ( 31/lb) 1.5 1.5 2.2 2.9 3.6 4.3 5.0 5.8 6.5
6" (17 /lb) 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.4 3.0 3.6 4.2 4.8 5.4
7" ( 11/lb) 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.1 2.6 3.1 3.6 4.1 4.6
8" (9/lb) 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.3 2.7 3.2 3.6 4.1
9" (6/lb) 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6
10" (3/lb) 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.5 2.9 3.2
"To obtain the average daily water temperature take temperature morning and afternoon each day and average them.
Both floating and sinking feeds are available.
Sinking feed is less expensive but floating feed allows
observation of the fingerlings. Mixing floating
feeds with the sinking type permits observation
and cuts feed costs.
Feeding activity slows considerably with cool
weather. When water temperature is 45°F to
55°F, feed five- to seven-inch fingerlings about
1.5 percent of their estimated body weight three
days per week. Fingerlings fed over winter (November
to March) in the South will gain from 25
percent to 40 percent of their initial body weight.
Smaller fingerlings need more frequent feeding
during winter. Feed them 1.5 percent of their
estimated body weight six days per week when
water temperature is between 52°F and 55°F and
three days per week when water temperature is
40°F to 52°F. Use Table 5 as a guide for feeding
fingerlings at water temperatures above 65°F.
WEED CONTROL
Aquatic weeds and pond "moss" are undesirable
in fingerling ponds. Harvesting fingerlings
is very difficult if weeds collect in seines. Excessive
aquatic weed growth also depresses oxygen
levels. Stocking 50 to 100 eight-inch grass
carp per acre is an effective weed control measure
in states where they are allowed (Figure 22).
Stock grass carp soon after the catfish fry are
stocked. Many grass carp jump over seines and
usually do not greatly interfere with fingerling
harvest.
DISEASE CONTROL
Diseases can be a serious problem for fingerling
producers. Good management, however, can
prevent many diseases, since many disease outbreaks
are related to fish stress caused by unfavor-
-14-
Figure 22. Grass carp effectively control most weeds in catfish ponds.
able environmental conditions, poor nutrition and
improper handling. When a particular disease is
diagnosed, specific treatments are available.
Some signs of diseases are changes from normal
behavior, reduced vitality, reduced feeding
activity, lazy swimming and open sores. Fish that
appear diseased should be sent immediately to a
laboratory for diagnosis. Laboratories providing
diagnostic services are listed in Appendix 2.
Select only live fish with disease signs for diagnosis.
Dead fish are unusable. Place one or two
of the smallest sick fish into a strong plastic bag.
Put in just enough water to cover the fish. Fill the
bag with pure oxygen if possible and tie securely.
Place the bag in a strong, waterproof box ( styrofoam
is best ) . Pack crushed ice in a separate
plastic bag and place this bag in the box next to
the fish (Figure 23). Ship the sample by bus or
deliver it personally. Call the laboratory to advise
them of the shipment and to provide needed information.