Evaluation of a Bio-Organic Catalyst in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Ponds

A bio-organic catalyst was tested in ponds used to grow channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, at Auburn, Alabama, for its effect on water quality, soil organic carbon, and channel catfish production. Although there were no significant differences (P > 0.1), ponds treated with the bio-organic catalyst tended to have higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen than control ponds during summer months even though all ponds were aerated mechanically. Data on water quality and soil organic carbon suagested that the bio-organic catalyst caused a slight but statistically significant inhibition of phytoplankton productivity, which in turn lessened the nighttime oxygen demand. Although fish production did not increase as the result of greater dissolved oxygen availability, fish survival was higher in the treated ponds (P = 0.1). At the maximum daily feeding rate of 75 kg/ha, water quality was not severely impaired in any of the ponds. The bio-organic catalyst product might have grcater benefits in ponds with higher stocking and feeding rates. Information on the mechanism of action of bio-catalyst additions in pond ecosystems would be useful in determining their potential benefits to pond aquaculture.