Unlike the red meat and poultry processing industries, catfish processing does not fall under the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Before a catfish processor begins operation, however, he must contact local county health officials to comply with county health regulations and to obtain a health permit.

Catfish is now the fourth most popular seafood product in the U.S. The catfish processing industry has grown dramatically to keep up with the increasing demand.

In some catfish or baitfish hatcheries, water in egg-hatching or fry-rearing tanks may have a condition called “gas supersaturation” that is harmful to fish. Gas supersaturation means that the water contains more gas at a certain air (barometric) pressure and water temperature than would normally occur if the water was allowed to come to equilibrium with the atmosphere.

Problems with inconsistent flavor quality occur in all food industries, but they are especially important in aquaculture because these foods are often more expensive than other sources of animal protein. To capture and maintain market share, aquaculture products must be of consistent, superior quality.

During the summer and early fall, it is not unusual for fish kills to occur in commercial ponds under uncertain circumstances.

The mating or crossing of two different species is a process called hybridization, with the offspring known as hybrids. Breeding hybrids with selected or favored characteristics of each parent is one of the goals of animal husbandry. Of all these interspecific catfish hybrids, only one hybrid has characteristics that would favor commercial application. That hybrid is the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) x blue catfish (I. furcatus) hybrid (denoted as the CxB hybrid).

The commercial production of catfish in the United States has increased at a phenomenal rate in the last three decades. By 1997, channel catfish culture was the largest aquaculture industry in the United States, with catfish production representing 72 percent (by weight) and 55 percent (by value) of the entire industry (U.S. Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture 1999).

The success of channel catfish culture depends on maximizing production in a cost-effective manner.The greatest costs are those associated with feed and feeding. Producers and researchers are constantly seeking new ways of lowering these costs. One way of reducing feed costs is to take advantage of the phenomenon of compensatory growth.

Catfish diets must provide enough energy, protein, vitamins and minerals in the proper proportions for fast, efficient growth and health maintenance. Choosing the right feed plays an important role in determining the productivity and profitability of aquaculture operations.

Feeding is the most important task in the intensive pond production of catfish, and the person responsible for feeding should be an experienced fish culturist.