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Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Nicknames: channel cat, spotted cat The Channel Catfish are long, sleek, scaleless, and greenish-gray in color with deeply forked tails. Most fingerlings have spots. Catfish have four pairs of long barbels which are helpful in locating food. They also have spines at the front of their pectoral and dorsal fins which are the site of the supposed stings received from handling catfish. Channel Catfish are not generally considered to be a predator fish since they are not as aggressive as bass. The Channel Catfish will feed on algae, crawfish, frogs, insects, minnows, and commercial feeds. The average growth rate of Channel Catfish in one or two pounds per growing season when fed fish food a minimum of three days per week. A high protein (28%-32% protein) floating fish food is generally considered best. If the pond is self-sufficient, without supplementary feed, growth rates would be cut in half. These fish will start spawning when the water temperature has been at least 70 degrees or higher for three or more days. The spawning season often lasts from the end of May into July. To enhance the reproduction of your catfish, sink a few tires, milkcans, plastic buckets, etc. in an area around 4-6 ft. deep in your pond. This will give the fish an excellent place to lay, and fan their eggs while keeping other fish away. Channel Catfish will not usually maintain their numbers in a small pond or lake. To maintain the catfish population additional catfish must be restocked periodically. Stocking ratios for Channel Catfish can vary from 200-700 per acre. Depending on water conditions and current fish population, higher numbers can be achieved with aeration. Catfish can be stocked alone or with other fish. Channel Catfish, occasionally live more than ten years, but six or seven is the usual life span. This information was taken from literature provided by Fish Wagon and Arkansas Pondstockers. Links to other sites on Channel Catfish |
