How is U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish raised?
U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is known for its consistency. Achieving that consistency begins with the selection and mating of mature catfish. Mature catfish remain in production an average of 8 to 12 years, depending on where they are grown, and lay 3,000 to 4,000 eggs annually per pound of body weight. Once the eggs are laid and fertilized, they are collected and taken to special hatcheries designed to replicate the natural environment. The eggs hatch after seven days and move to the next level of maturation, called “sac fry” because of the attached yolk sacs that supply their food. As the food sacs are depleted, the tiny U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish begin to swim and are moved to special ponds where they grow into fingerlings. When the fingerlings are about 4- to 6-inches long (the size of an index finger), they are placed in man-made ponds filled with fresh water pumped from underground wells. After 18 months to two years, or when the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish reach about 10 pounds each, the
