Native to Atlantic coastal streams, widely introduced throughout the Southeast U.S.A.

HABITS:

These fish are extremely hardy fish that tolerate low dissolved oxygen concentrations and higher water temperatures than the channel catfish. Usually found in shallow riffles over sand and gravel.

SPAWNING:

Occurs from June through August at approximately 21 degrees Celsius. The white catfish are cavity spawners and females release 1000-4000 eggs. The eggs are yellow and granular, very adhesive and covered with a gelatinous matrix. The male parent guards the eggs until they hatch, and chases the female from the nest after spawning occurs. Hatching occurs after 6 to 7 days at 24-29 degrees Celsius. The male white catfish continues to guard the eggs until they swim freely.

GROWTH:

White catfish reach maturity at 3-4 years and can reach a length of 24 inches. In general they grow slower than channel catfish.

USES:

These fish were initially looked at as a potential aquaculture species due to increase environmental tolerances. Due to their large heads and the fact that they grow more slowly than the channel catfish and are more susceptible to pathogens. Now there is virtually no interest in its use as a culture species.

CULTURE:

Some fish are cultured for restocking by state government and methods used are similar or identical to methods used for channel catfish.

REFERENCES:

Avault Jr., J.W. 1996. Fundamentals of Aquaculture. AVA Publishing Company Inc. Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

http.//galaxy.cs.berkeley.edu:8080/kopec/tr9/html/sp-white-catfish. html