Detailed Explanation of Key Points of Channel Catfish Farming Technology

1. Technology Introduction: Channel catfish, because of its wide feeding habits, fast growth, strong adaptability, strong disease resistance, good quality, and large market potential, is an excellent species currently promoted for farming. There are usually two farming methods: pond main culture and cage culture. Pond main culture of channel catfish is a farming method in which channel catfish is the main species, accounting for 80% of total output, with a certain proportion of filter-feeding fish appropriately stocked, generally accounting for 20% of total output. With this farming method, generally each mu can produce 400 kg of channel catfish and 100 kg of filter-feeding fish, and each mu can yield a profit of more than 1500 yuan. Cage culture of channel catfish refers to a farming method of using small-volume cages of 1-8 cubic meters to farm channel catfish in waters such as reservoirs, lakes, and rivers. Generally, each cubic meter of water can produce 100-150 kg of channel catfish.
2. Key Technical Points
1. Pond main culture of channel catfish
(1) Pond condition requirements: The pond area should be 5-10 mu, the water depth should be 1.5-2 m, the pond bottom should be flat, with little silt, sufficient water source, no pollution, and convenient water intake and drainage. For every 5 mu of water surface, equip one 1.5 kW aerator;
(2) Stocking fingerlings: Before stocking, use quicklime or chlorine preparations to clear the pond and disinfect it. When stocking fingerlings, soak them in potassium permanganate or salt water for 5-10 minutes, and the water temperature at stocking should be lower than 8°C;
(3) Fingerling quality, size, and stocking quantity: The fingerlings should be uniform in size, robust in constitution, disease-free and injury-free. The stocking size of the main cultured fish should be 25-50 g, and the stocking size of the companion cultured fish should be more than 50 g. The stocking quantity of channel catfish should be 800-1000 fish/mu, and the companion cultured fish (filter-feeding fish) should be 100 fish;
(4) Feed feeding: In the early stage of farming (the first 2 months), the feed protein content should be more than 36%, and in the later stage of farming (after 2 months), the feed protein content should not be less than 32%. Compound pellet feed is preferable. The general daily feeding rate is 3%. The feed amount should be flexibly controlled according to water temperature, water quality, climate changes, fish body weight, etc., and each feeding amount should be enough to reach 90% satiation of the fish. Feed feeding should achieve the “four fixed” principles;
(5) Water quality management: New water should be added regularly, and the aerator should be turned on in time to ensure sufficient dissolved oxygen in the pond water. From June to August, part of the old water should be replaced every half month and new water should be added in time. At the same time, every 15 days, 15 kg of quicklime per mu should be slaked into slurry and splashed over the whole pond to regulate water quality and prevent fish diseases. In high-temperature seasons and rainy weather, oxygen deficiency must be strictly prevented, and the aerator should be turned on in time to supplement oxygen in the pond water;
(6) Fish disease prevention and control: Channel catfish have many diseases in pond farming, and their harm is relatively great, so disease prevention and control work is extremely important. Prevention should be given priority, with comprehensive prevention and control. In spring, parasitic hazards are mainly greater, and drugs such as copper sulfate and formaldehyde can be used for prevention and control. In summer and autumn, bacteria and viruses are prone to spread, and drugs such as quicklime and chlorine preparations can be used for prevention and control.
2. Cage culture of channel catfish:
(1) Water area selection and cage installation: Choose water areas such as reservoirs, lakes, and rivers with slow water flow and water depth above 3 m to install cages. The cage area is generally preferably 1-8 square meters, with a mesh size of 2-3 cm. The cages should be arranged in a “pin” shape to facilitate water exchange.
(2) Stocking: The stocking size, quality, and stocking requirements of fingerlings are all the same as those for pond farming. The general stocking quantity is 200-300 fish/m2.
(3) Feed nutritional quality requirements and feeding key points are all the same as those for pond farming.
(4) Feeding management: Observe fish feeding and activity every day, and frequently splash chlorine preparations around the cages to prevent fish diseases. If fish diseases are found, use drugs by soaking to treat the fish diseases. Check every day whether the cages are broken or leaking, and deal with any problems in time. The surroundings of the cages should be scrubbed once every three days to facilitate full water exchange.