Stocking Density: Its Effect On Caged-Channel Catfish Production
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), were reared in 1.0 m' cages suspended in the intake canal of a cooling reservoir. Effects of density were tested by stocking cages in replicates of 4 at densities ranging from 500 to 900 fish in increments of 25 individuals. There was a significant increase in net production and variation in length and a signifi· cant decrease in feed efficiency, mean fish weight, and percentage of harvestable-size fish as stocking density increased. Survival was not affected by number of fish per cage.
