Combining Ability of Female Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and Male Blue Catfish, I. furcatus, for Early Growth Performance of Their Progeny

Abstract

The hybrid between the female channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and the male blue catfish (I. furcatus) is the best genetic type currently available for commercial catfish farming due to their superior traits. However, further genetic improvements can be achieved by selecting parents with increased combining abilities. Twenty female channel catfish and twelve male blue catfish were crossed in a partial factorial mating design, resulting in forty hybrid families. These families were evaluated for early growth in three different rearing systems, including ponds and aquaria. The early growth performance of hybrid catfish was significantly (p

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