Food of White Catfish,Ictalurus catus (LINN.) (Ictaluridae) Stocked in Farm Ponds

Stomach contents of 124 white catfish, Ictalurus catus, ranging from 51 to 431 mm collected from farm ponds of Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama were examined. Fishes in these ponds were given supplemental feed six days a week. Juvenile catfish below 100 mm fed more actively on a variety of food items than larger fish. White catfish measuring 201 mm and above preferred dipterans to other natural food items. In all size groups supplemental feed occupied a dominant position when compared to other food items. Other food items present in the stomachs in varying quantities included detritus, micro-crustaceans, trichopterans, fish remains and miscellaneous items, thus indicating the omnivorous feeding of white catfish.