Channel catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Also known asForked-tail cat
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 400 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 32% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.40% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.70% of body weight
- Max density
- 50 g per litre
A 1200 g adult eats about 16.8 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~168 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | permit required | Aquaculture permit required for commercial scale verified 2026-05-13 |
| New South Wales | prohibited | Non-native; biosecurity restrictions verified 2026-05-13 |
| Queensland | prohibited | verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to rivers, lakes, and reservoirs across eastern and central North America, from the Great Lakes south to the Gulf of Mexico. The species (Ictalurus punctatus) is the most widely cultured food fish in the United States, with over 300 million pounds produced annually, primarily in pond-based operations across the Mississippi Delta region (Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas). Bottom-dwelling, nocturnal feeders with exceptional olfactory senses; they locate food by smell and taste rather than sight, which is why they feed confidently in turbid water and at night. Tolerates poor water quality better than most cultured species: survives low dissolved oxygen (down to 1 mg/L briefly), moderate ammonia levels, and a pH range from 6 to 9. This tolerance makes them forgiving in aquaponics systems where parameter control is imperfect. Adults in culture reach 500–1 g in 12-24 months depending on temperature and feeding regime.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- temperate (handles seasonal swings)
- USDA zones
- 5–11 (winter low around -29°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- no
Care notes
A solid choice for temperate aquaponics where tilapia isn't legal or where water temperatures fluctuate seasonally. Catfish grow well at 21–29°C and tolerate temperatures from 2°C to 35°C, though they stop feeding below about 10°C and above 32°C. Growth is slower than tilapia: 12-24 months to reach harvest size (500–800 g), depending on temperature and feed quality. FCR is 1.6-2.0 on commercial catfish pellet (32% protein). Stocking density for aquaponics should stay at 10-20 g/L; higher densities increase stress and disease risk. Catfish are bottom feeders; sinking pellets work better than floating feed, though they learn to eat at the surface over time. The barbels are sensitive taste and touch organs; maintain good water quality to prevent barbel erosion from bacterial infection. Legally available for aquaculture in most US states without special permits, which is a significant advantage over tilapia in restrictive jurisdictions. Fingerlings are widely available from farm supply stores, hatcheries, and online suppliers. Channel catfish produce substantial ammonia relative to body weight, which is beneficial for plant growth in aquaponics but requires adequate biofiltration to keep ammonia below toxic levels. Enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC, caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri) is the primary disease concern in culture; maintain water quality and avoid temperature stress to prevent outbreaks.