Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Fly Fishing & Other Fish Species Catfish Question

Is this true…..a 80 lb female blue catfish will produce as many eggs as 16 5 lb blues?

http://cnre.vt.edu/efish/families/bluecat.html

Reproductive Habits:
· Spawning occurs in April and May in water that is 21-24oC
· Nests constructed in sheltered areas by the male or both sexes
· Fecundity is 2,000 eggs per pound of female

Thanks for the link.

That concept (bigger fish more eggs) is not unusual in fish species. It is not universal and depends on fish condition and age. At some point the big fish get too old and things quickly go the other direction.

It appears size is the biggest factor is the number of eggs a blue cat will produce. The bigger the blue cat, the more eggs she will lay.

"Simple linear regression analysis indicated that the best predictor of egg numbers was length and weight of flathead catfish and blue catfish."
From: http://gradworks.umi.com/14/68/1468553.html

But as Eric said, if a fish gets so old it begins to deteriorate, it will most definitely produce less eggs.

Ok I just caught a CC this morning that where stocked back in Dec 2009.

It was only 12 inches and 10.5 OZ.

Does this seem right to you guys or is something up?

I started feeding about August last year through November, and started again this May.

Seemed small to me but I am not an expert when it comes to fish.

Thanks

It's impossible to tell from a sample size of 1 fish. CC that I stocked in 2008 last year were running 3 to 4 pounds each, but I did catch one that was only 12" and about a pound, so that tells me that your sample size needs to be bigger before any conclusions can be drawn. I have been feeding AquaMax the whole time (except for the winter of 2008 and last winter) so my fish will be larger.

Seems small to me also but, as Esshup says, hard to make a sample out of one fish.

By the way, how does fish age affects the quality of eggs? I have heard that 5 lb pike will lay healthier eggs (with a greater possibility to survive) than older one with 20 lb weight.

Well I hope to get out there and start pulling some of them out anyway. Maybe I will see some nice ones soon, or catch them.

I would hope the feed would put the weight on them but I guess not that fish.

Maybe by this fall or winter the cats will be close to 2 pounds (I Hope)

We were always told that blues wouldnt reproduce in our ponds but we have caught blues that are 8" long so we know they are.