Aquaculture 2025

March 6 - 10, 2025

New Orleans, Louisiana USA

Add To Calendar 07/03/2025 13:45:0007/03/2025 14:05:00America/ChicagoAquaculture 2025FEED-RELATED AND IRON-RESPONSIVE ANEMIA IN CATFISHSalon DThe World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

FEED-RELATED AND IRON-RESPONSIVE ANEMIA IN CATFISH

David J. Wise*, Lester H. Khoo, Matt J. Griffin, Fernando Y. Yamamoto, Bradley M. Richardson, Caitlin E. Older and Alvin C. Camus

 

Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center

Mississippi State University

Delta Research and Extension Center

Stoneville, MS 38776, USA

dwise@drec.msstate.edu

 



Channel catfish anemia (CCA), colloquially referred to as “no blood disease” or “white-lip,” is more accurately described as idiopathic catfish anemia, as hybrid catfish are also affected. Normal packed cell volumes (PCVs) in commercially raised catfish typically range from 20–40%, with higher values observed in summer. However, anemic fish often exhibit critically low PCVs of 10% or less. Clinically, affected fish display lethargy and respiratory distress under adequate dissolved oxygen concentrations. Larger, food-sized fish are most affected, with severe cases in Mississippi typically occurring in late fall and, to a lesser extent, in spring. Despite extensive efforts, the etiology of CCA remains undetermined. Feed-related anemia has been documented in channel catfish in Alabama and Georgia and possibly in Louisiana. For example, in 1983, feed-related anemia was reported on 39 of 166 catfish farms in west-central Alabama, with weekly mortality rates reaching 5%. Losses ceased when fish were temporarily fed feed from a different manufacturer. Conversely, feed-induced anemia has not been reported from feed mills in Mississippi. Instead, it is speculated that anemia observed in Mississippi catfish operations is related to iron deficiency, despite dietary iron levels exceeding NRC recommendations. In these cases, iron-fortified diets restored PCVs within 2–3 weeks and significantly reduced mortality, suggesting the condition may be related to unknown interference with iron metabolism. This presentation will explore the characteristics of feed-related and iron-responsive anemia, with emphasis on clinical observations, potential etiologies, and management strategies.