How to Raise Catfish - The Channel Cat

Blue Catfish or "Channel Cats" can be found in rivers on the East Coast of America, as well as in Mexico and northern Guatemala. They are considered a game fish in a large number of waters. They are found in deep water and prefer moving waters that are clear. They are often found over sandy to rocky bottoms. The Blue Catfish can be kept in an aquarium, these conditions will need to be mimicked. They need to be kept in a very large aquarium or pond because they can get so big. They are best kept water temperatures of 25-28°C/ 77-82°F. The aquarium/pond bottom should be covered with sand and gravel. Blue Catfish will need plenty of hiding places in the aquarium/pond. There is no need for plants. But a large filter is needed, to provide the catfish with enough water movement.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pond or aquarium
• Sand, rocks
• shrimp, fish meat
• water filter
• blue Catfish (Channel Cats)

1. The Channel Cat Catfish can be bought at a local pet store, fish farm and even online. Buy at least a half a dozen if you are breeding for fishing. If you just want them as pets, get less.
2. Pond bred catfish live on a diet of invertebrates, fish, molluscs and frogs. If you raise your catfish in an aquarium they will eat fish meat, shrimp, crab meat and mollusks and small feeder fish.
3. Catfish spawn April thru June. They lay their eggs in a nest that they build. A female can lay up to 200,000 eggs or more. Blue Catfish are very protective, so once the eggs are laid the catfish guards them from predators until the young catfish hatch.