Aggressive Biting among Channel Catfish in Pool Studies

Abstract Observations of marks on channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus held for varying lengths of time in experimental ponds and on fish submitted for disease analysis suggested that aggressive biting among channel catfish may sometimes occur at relatively high rates in culture ponds. Studies in experimental pools indicated that larger fish sustained an average of 4 bites per fish while smaller fish sustained less than 1 bite per fish. Unfed catfish sustained an average of 12 bites per fish while fed fish sustained 7 bites per fish. No differences in the level of aggression were observed between genders. Mortality rates, apparently due to biting, ranged from 0% to 40% during the 2–4 week periods. Biting and subsequent infection of the wounds may contribute to the unexplained losses observed by producers.