Growth of channel catfish in two farm ponds in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the growth of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in two farm ponds in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. One pond had an existing channel catfish population while the other did not. Nineteen fish were captured from the first pond (Bell's Pond) and pectoral spines were removed for analysis. The length of each fish was recorded for each year of its life. Average sizes were: Age I yr, 9.17 cm; age II yrs, 20.68 cm; age III yrs, 29.36 cm; age IV yrs, 33.63 cm; age V yrs, 39.21 cm; age VI yrs, 45.35 cm; age VII yrs, 47.77 cm. In the spring of 1982, 250 fish, averaging 12.52 cm in length, were placed in the second pond (Gladfelter Pond) which did not have an existing catfish population. Twenty-eight of the stocked fish were captured during the spring and summer of 1983. These averaged 24.83 cm in length and 109.9 g in mass. Turbidity readings were taken for both ponds in early March, 1983. The pond with the previously existing catfish population had a turbidity reading of 64.7 ppm, whereas the other pond had a reading of 53.0 ppm. It was concluded that the turbidity levels in the two ponds had no marked influence on the growth of the channel catfish. The length-weight relationship (WR) values were low for the channel catfish in both ponds. The average WR for fish from Bell's Pond was 73.9 and average for fish from Gladfelter Pond was 79.95. No definite conclusion was reached concerning the reason for the low WR values.