Improved Aeration, D.O.Management Advance Catfish Prodnction

摘要

Emergency aeration with tractor-powered paddle-wheels allowed U.S. catfish farmers to increase feeding and stocking fates, and double production. Further advances in aeration, which now include the use of liquid oxygen dndvaried aerator placement, areleading to increasingly higher yields. Studies have identified an optimum practical range for dissolved oxygen concentration of 1,5-2.5 mg/L. Increased aeration is arguably the single greatest factor responsible for the steady increase in catfish production rates seen in the past 40 years. Prior to emergency aeration, feed input was limited to 35-45 kg/ha/day and production rarely exceeded 1.7 mt/ha/year. At this low feeding rate, fish kills caused by low dissolved oxygen (D.O.) occurred only rarely.