Abstract
The present study was designed to determine the optimal level
of calcium hardness in hatching waters to incubate channel catfish
Ictalurus punctatus × blue catfish I. furcatus hybrid catfish eggs.
Hatching success of hybrid catfish eggs was higher (P < 0.05) at a
calcium hardness (CaCO3) of 75 mg/L in hatching waters than at
a calcium hardness of 25 or 50 mg/L; however, further increases
in calcium concentration did not improve hatching success. A minimum
water hardness of CaCO3 at 75 mg/L is recommended for
incubating hybrid catfish eggs.