An Evaluation Of Several Marks On Channel Catfish, Ictalurus Punctatus (Rafinesque)

In November, 1969, four groups of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), with 20 fish per group were marked and put in cages in an earthen pond at the Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama. Marking methods consisted of four dyes injected and applied with a tattoo machine, two fluorescent pigments and a hot and a cold brand. The fish were sampled weekly for a period of 28 weeks and each mark was evaluated on the basis of mark retention and ease of identification. Blue latex injections, hot brands and cold brands were the most effective marks used in this study.