Catfish industry is the largest aquaculture sector in the U. S. contributi ng 74% of the total finfish production. Hybrid catfish (? channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) × ? blue catfish (I. furcatus)) is preferred in intensive production systems due to its superior production traits. Edwardsiellosis caused by the gram- negative bacteria, Edwardsiella piscicida is a major threat to catfish culture causing significant production losses (Figure 1) . Food-sized hybrid catfish are reported to be more vulnerable to E. piscicida evidenced by the case submissions to the diagnostic laboratories. Fish loss at this stage caus es signific ant economic burden as most of the production costs would have been incurred. Although the archived E. piscicida isolates (2013-2018) have been categorized into five genetic clades, these are not phenotypically profiled. Phenotypic characterization of these genetically and temporally distinct E. piscicida isolates will provide relevant insights on their adaptations to changing environments and resources . This study analyzed the growth characteristics of representative E. piscicida isolates at different incubation temperatures. In addition, the salt tolerance, nutrient preferences, motility, and aerotolerance of these isolates were evaluated . Growth of the bacterial strains was significantly low at 12ºC and 45ºC when compared to other tested temperatures. Trypticase soy agar (TSA) and Mueller-Hinton agar with 5% blood supplementation significantly augmented bacterial growth (Figure 2) compared to Salmonella-Shigella and MacConkey agar . Growth of E. piscicida isolates were significantly inhibited in media with >3% salt levels. The studied bacterial strains revealed a facultative anaerobic growth pattern in thioglycol late broth. No significant phenotypic variations among the studied isolates representing different genotypes were observed. Further studies of bacterial isolates (temporally and spatially distributed) covering a much wider geographical area and host species will provide pertinent information on these deleterious pathogens. A comprehensive phenotypic characterization will be beneficial during disease diagnosis and to develop efficient management strategies against these bacteria.