Six groups of cage-grown channel catfish (lctalurus punctata) and Tilapia aurea were compared for body weight, total length, condition factor, carcass characteristics, and sensory quality. Catfish used in this study were the first generation progeny of brood catfish selected for increased and decreased body weight and for body weight variability at 48-week post-spawning age. A random-bred control line and a group of pond-raised catfish were also included in the experiment. Results indicated that I generation of divergent selection has increased body weight and body weight variability in the upward lines but no declines were observed in the downward lines. Selection for improved growth rate may also produce catfish more uniform in size. In the taste test tilapia were preferred over catfish.
