7210

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7210
• Author: McMahon, T. E. and J. W. Terrell.
• Title: Habitat Suitability Index Models
• USFW Year: 1982.
• USFW - Doc Type: Channel Catfish.
• Copyright Material: NO

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postively correlated to growing .season length (Jenkins 1970). However, harvest
of channel catfish reported in reservoirs was not correlated with growing
season length (Jenkins and Morais 1971).
Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of 5 mg/1 are adequate for growth and
survival of channel"catfish, but`D.O: levels of >_ 7 mg/1 are optimum (Andrews
et al. 1973; Carlson et al. 1974). Dissolved oxygen levels < 3 mg/1 retard
growth (Simco and Cross 1966), and feeding is reduced at D.O. levels < 5 mg/1
(Randolph and Clemens 1976).
Adult. Adults in rivers are found in large, deep pools with cover. They
move to riffles and runs at night to feed (McCammon 1956; Davis 1959; Pflieger
1971; 1975). Adults in reservoirs and lakes favor reefs and deep, protected
areas with rocky substrates or other cover. They often move to the shoreline
or tributaries at-night to feed (Davis 1959; Jester 1971; Scott and Grossman
1973).
The optimal temperature range for growth of adult channel catfish is
26-29° C (Shrable et al. 1969; Chen 1976). Growth is poor at temperatures
< 21° C (McCammon. and LaFaunce 1961; Macklin-and Soule 1964; Andrews and
Stickney .1972) and ceases at < T8° C (Starostka and Nelson 1974). An upper
lethal temperature of 33.5° C has been reported for catfish acclimated at
25° C (Carlander 1969).
Adult channel catfish were most abundant in habitats with salinities
< 1.7 ppt in Louisiana, ,although .t hey .occurred in areas with salinities up to
11:4 ppt,(Perry 1973).Salinities <_ 8 ppt .are tolerated--with little or no
effect, but growth slows above this level and does not occur at salinities
> 11 ppt (Perry and Avault 1.968).
Embryo. Dark and secluded areas are required for nesting (Marzolf 1957).
Males build .and guard nests in cavities, burrows, under-:rocks, and in-other
protected sites (Davis 1959; Pflieger 1975). Nests in 'large"impoundments
generally occur among rubble and boulders along protected shorelines at depths:
of about 2-4 m (Jester 1971). Catfish in large rivers are likely to `mo've into
shallow,,flooded ar.eas,.to_spawn.(Bryan:et a1..1975). Lawler._(1960) 'reported
that` spawning",in Utah "Lake, ,Utah," .was concentrated ;in:7'sections "of the --lake
with abundant spawni;ng_sites of rocky outcrops",..,trees, and crevices: The male
catfish ,.fans embryos for ;water exchange and" guards the =n`est~ -from predators ~~
(Miller~,'1966; Minckley_1973)._ Embryos can develop"in the temperature .range of
15.5 ,to;",29.5° C, with ,the 'optimum about 27° :C ,(Brown 1942; Clemens;-and ,Sneed-
1957). They'do not develop- at"temperatures < 15.5° C'(Brown 1942).:_, Embryos'
hatch in 6-7 days at_27°__C (Clemens and Sneed 1957). '
Laboratory ~s~tudies".indicate ~th'at .embryos-"three days `old_ and of"der,can
tolerate salinities up~to 16 ppt`until hatching, when tolerance drops to 8 ppt
(Allen and Avault 1970). However, 2 ppt salinity is the highest level 'in
which successful spawning in ponds ,has-been observed_(Perry 1973). Embryo
survival-and production in reservoirs will,probably,bo`high__i,n"areas that are
not subject to disturbance by heavy wave action or rapid water drawdown.
P
29-30FrC~(West 1966 a1 temperature range -for growth of channel catfish-fry is
° ). Some growth does occur ..down to temperatures of 18° C
(Starostka and Nelson 1974), but growth generally is poor in-cool waters with
average summer temperatures < 21° C (McCammon and LaFaunce 1961; Macklin and
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