Growth of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in Southern Brazil

Despite successful introduction of channel catfish into Brazil in 1980, no studies have been conducted to assess the performance of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, farming in southern Brazil. Fingerlings (27.0 ± 2.2 g) were stocked in sixteen 16-m2 tanks with cement walls and earthen bottoms. Four stocking densities were used: 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 fish/m2. Fish were fed a diet containing 32% protein according to a feeding chart for 257 days (from April to December). Water temperature ranged from 16.4°C to 30°C during the study. Final average weight (727.1 ± 70.6 g) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for fish raised at 0.5 fish/m2. Food conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for fish stocked at 1.25 fish/ m2. Survival averaged 95.4%, and no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found among treatments. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in tank production among the densities of 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 fish/m2, but they were higher (P < 0.05) than the density of 0.5 fish/ m2. These results demonstrate the viability of channel catfish growth in southern Brazil.