Recent Improvements in Catfish Hatcheries Not Only Changed the Type of Catfish to be Raised but Also How They Are Raised

Disease, low survival, and increased feed costs coupled with an influx of cheap foreign catfish declined the US farm-raised catfish production by over 50% in the last decade. Farm efficiency can be improved by development and use of catfish with enhanced performance characteristics.  Hybrid catfish produced by crossing channel catfish females with blue catfish males is a superior fish that exhibit heterotic growth, survival, feed conversion and fillet yield compared to commonly raised channel catfish.  Production can be doubled and feed efficiency improved 25-35% by raising hybrid catfish, apart from their tolerance to stressors and high densities, desirable for intensive systems.  Recent improvements in hatchery production increased hybrid fry production from 30 million to more than 175 million fry in the last six years.   This presentation will highlight the recent improvements in hatchery production of hybrid catfish in commercial hatcheries, prompting 60% of the farms to raise hybrid catfish. Recent improvements in catfish hatcheries not only changed the type of catfish to be raised but also how they are raised.