Effects Of Hydrogen Sulfide On Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus)

The natural production of sulfides is responsible for poor channel catfish production in many acid lakes in Northeast Texas. The TLm of un-ionized hydrogen sulfide for channel catfish fry ranged from 0.8 ppm at pH of 6.8 to 0.53 at pH 7.8. At pH 7.0 the TLm of this gas is 1.0 ppm for fingerling catfish, 1.3 for advanced fingerlings and 1.4 for adult channel catfish. Small fish were also killed quicker when exposed to these concentrations. Maximum concentrations of hydrogen sulfide are produced in the spring. Channel catfish populations can be maintained by continued stocking of adult fish or by raising the pH with agricultural limestone, which in turn lowers the toxic un-ionized hydrogen sulfide.