Effect of strain on the growth, survival and sexual dimorphism of channel × blue catfish hybrids grown in earthen ponds

Four groups of female channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus × male blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus hybrids were raised communally in earthen ponds, and their body weight was evaluated at 15 and 25 months of age. When the progeny of sires and dams were pooled, hybrids produced by Rio Grande blue catfish sires exhibited faster growth, higher survival and higher production than hybrids sired by Alabama strains of blue catfish. There was a strain of dam effect at 25 months of age when the progeny from the Auburn and Marion-Kansas strains of female channel catfish had higher survival than hybrids from Auburn females alone, implying a positive effect on survival from Marion-Kansas females. Sexual dimorphism for body weight varied among genotypes. Genotype-environment (age or season) interactions occurred for several variables, demonstrating the importance of experimental design to produce research results relevant to industry. In general, strain of sire effects were more influential than strain of dam effects, which also should be considered in practical catfish genetics and breeding programs.