The husbandry of marine or saltwater organisms Mariculture

Major Species of Fish (KY) 1 st Catfish 1 st Catfish Prawn (Freshwater) Prawn (Freshwater) Trout Trout Large Mouth Bass Large Mouth Bass Hybrid Striped Bass Hybrid Striped Bass Paddlefish Paddlefish Musky Musky Baitfish Baitfish

Minor Species (KY) Walleye Walleye Common Carp Common Carp Yellow Perch Yellow Perch Tilapia Tilapia Crappie Crappie Crayfish Crayfish Hybrid Bluegill Hybrid Bluegill

External Anatomy 1. Lateral Line – sensory organ that senses water currents, pressure, and movement in the water 2. Operculum – a bony flap-like protective gill cover 3. Scales – a plate-like protective covering of the skin 4. Caudal Fin – the tail fin of fish, provides thrust/movement 5. Pectoral Fin – the chest fins, provides maneuvering 6. Pelvic Fin – the hip fins, provides maneuvering 7. Dorsal Fin – the back fin, provides maneuvering 8. Nostrils/ Nares – opening of the nasal cavity, detects odors in water (feed/danger) 9. Vent – an external opening to the digestive and reproductive tract

Internal Anatomy 1.Swim Bladder – (air bladder) an internal, inflatable gas bladder that enables a fish to regulate its buoyancy 2.Gills – an internal organ used in respiration and excretion 3.Liver – internal organ that breaks down fat, stores fat and carbohydrates, excretes waste, and maintains proper blood chemistry chemistry 4.Gonads – the reproductive organs, testes or ovaries

Catfish Production Catfish is the largest enterprise of all aquacultural products Today there are over 150,000 acres of catfish ponds in the United States They are raised in the southern part of the U.S. because they are warm-water fish Warm-water fish grow best in water temperatures around 85 degrees Mississippi leads the nation in catfish production.

Broodfish The production of catfish begins with the breeding process. (Selective Breeding) Brood fish range from 3 to 5 lbs. Brood ponds are used to keep fish that are used to breed and lay eggs.

Roe/Eggs The female catfish lays approximately 10,000 eggs. called “roe” at a time. Next, the male fertilizes the eggs by depositing sperm into the mass of eggs. Egg hatching occurs in 7 to 8 days.

Fry After eggs hatch, the small fish are called “fry”. Up to 1 inch length From birth to 4 to 8 months

Fingerlings Fry develop into fingerlings 4 to 8 months Fingerlings are 1 to 8 inches

Stockers Fingerlings develop into “stockers” Stockers are ¾ of a pound.

Foodfish Stockers develop into foodfish 1 to 2 pounds Selected fish are then taken to market

Broodfish Choice foodfish males and females are kept for breeding purposes. These are known as broodfish Cycle begins again.