Estimating Liquid Oxygen Requirements for Aeration of Fasted Channel Catfish

Abstract

A review of the scientific literature concerning the respiration of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus resulted in development of a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for estimating the volume of oxygen consumed by a given fasted channel catfish biomass. Channel catfish farmers and live haulers using diffused oxygen aeration systems can use computed estimates of oxygen consumption as a guide for setting flow rates for diffusers placed in grading nets and haul tanks. Entry of eight variables into the spreadsheet provides estimates of oxygen gas consumption with respect to time and biomass, the liquid oxygen equivalent of that volume, liquid oxygen expense, and the ratio of liquid oxygen expense to gross revenue.