Comparative aspects of feed and feedstuff utilization by Yaqui and channelcatfish

The Yaqui catfish Ictalurus pricei is a threatened North American catfish c urrently being cultured in New Mexico and Texas. Yaqui catfish have been ex tirpated since the 1950s, and effective propagation techniques are needed t o produce fish for reintroduction into former habitats. Captive propagation may be hindered by lack of knowledge of the nutrition of the species. We c ompared growth-related measures of Yaqui catfish and channel catfish I. pun ctatus fed two commercial diets over a 12-week feeding trial. Weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (weight gained/protein consumed), specific growth (logarithmic growth per unit time), and length were significantly lower and feed conversion (weight of food fed/weight gained) was significantly highe r in Yaqui catfish than in channel catfish, irrespective of diet. Protein d igestibility of fish meal made from menhaden Brevoortia sp. (89.3%) and soy bean meal (85.5%) by Yaqui catfish did not differ significantly.