Abstract

After experiencing difficulty in managing dissolved oxygen levels on several live hauls, a method has been developed for estimating the oxygen flow rate needed to sustain live channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus during transport. The mathematical model described in this paper provides aquaculturists, fish farmers, and fish haulers with an analytical method for estimating the oxygen flow rate needed to sustain a given biomass of channel catfish I. punctatus during transport. Based on peer-reviewed scientific literature, readily obtained data, and program in Microsoft^© Excel, the model can be used for planning and evaluating dissolved oxygen management on live hauls.  

Key words:  Channel catfish, dissolved oxygen, live hauling, aquaculture.