Some stress can improve the growth of channel catfish fry

摘要

Previous studies of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) have suggested that fry raised in high traffic areas from hatch until they reached 9g in weight, were better able to survive an experimental challenge with Edwardsiella ictaluri than siblings raised in low traffic areas. In order to determine whether early physical stress could improve their subsequent growth and survival in ponds, .three-week old channel catfish fry from a pool of three families were divided into two groups. One group was physically stressed for 14 days with a rigorous daily exercise program, while the other was left undisturbed except for routine feeding.