Chromosome-level genome assembly of the glass catfish(Kryptopterus vitreolus)reveals molecular clues to its transparent phenotype

Glass catfish(Kryptopterus vitreolus)are notable in the aquarium trade for their highly transparent body pattern.This transparency is due to the loss of most reflective iridophores and light-absorbing melanophores in the main body,although certain black and silver pigments remain in the face and head.To date,however,the molecular mechanisms underlying this transparent phenotype remain largely unknown.To explore the genetic basis of this transparency,we constructed a chromosome-level haplotypic genome assembly for the glass catfish,encompassing 32 chromosomes and 23344 protein-coding genes,using PacBio and Hi-C sequencing technologies and standard assembly and annotation pipelines.Analysis revealed a premature stop codon in the putative albinism-related tyrp1b gene,encoding tyrosinase-related protein 1,rendering it a nonfunctional pseudogene.Notably,a synteny comparison with over 30 other fish species identified the loss of the endothelin-3(edn3b)gene in the glass catfish genome.To investigate the role of edn3b,we generated edn3b^(−/−)mutant zebrafish,which exhibited a remarkable reduction in black pigments in body surface stripes compared to wild-type zebrafish.These findings indicate that edn3b loss contributes to the transparent phenotype of the glass catfish.Our high-quality chromosome-scale genome assembly and identification of key genes provide important molecular insights into the transparent phenotype of glass catfish.These findings not only enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying transparency in glass catfish,but also offer a valuable genetic resource for further research on pigmentation in various animal species.

Study on Artificial Propagation and Embryonic Development of Poyang Lake Catfish

Poyang Lake catfish （Silurus asotus Linnaeus） is native to Poyang Lake Basin. Artificial propagation of Poyang Lake catfish was carried out by using artificial insemination. Under water temperature of 18-26 ℃, embryonic development of Poyang Lake catfish in impounded water was observed and recorded in detail. Embryonic development of Poyang Lake catfish encountered seven stages, and it last- ed for 47.08 h from the fertilized egg stage to the stripping stage. The hatching time of Silurus meridionalis Chen was shortest, followed by that of Poyang Lake catfish, and the hatching time of Pelteobagrus vachelli was longest.

Dietary isoleucine improved flesh quality,muscle antioxidant capacity,and muscle growth associated with AKT/TOR/S6K1 and AKT/FOXO3a signaling in hybrid bagrid catfish(Pelteobagrus vachelli♀×Leiocassis longirostris♂)

Background:Muscle is the complex and heterogeneous tissue,which comprises the primary edible part of the trunk of fish and mammals.Previous studies have shown that dietary isoleucine(Ile)exerts beneficial effects on growth in aquatic animals.However,there were limited studies regarding the benefits of Ile on fish muscle and their effects on flesh quality and muscle growth.Thus,this study was conducted to explore whether dietary Ile had affected flesh quality and muscle growth in hybrid bagrid catfish(Pelteobagrus vachelli♀×Leiocassis longirostris♂).Methods:A total of 630 hybrid fish,with an initial average body weight of 33.11±0.09 g,were randomly allotted into seven experimental groups with three replicates each,and respectively fed seven diets with 5.0,7.5,10.0,12.5,15.0,17.5,and 20.0 g Ile/kg diets for 8 weeks.Results:In the present study,we demonstrated that Ile significantly:(1)increased muscle protein and lipid contents and the frequency distribution of myofibers with≤20μm and≥50μm of diameter;(2)improved pH value,shear force,cathepsin B and L activities,hydroxyproline content,resilience,cohesiveness,and decreased cooking loss,lactate content,hardness,springiness,gumminess,and chewiness;(3)decreased reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),and protein carbonyl(PC)contents,GCLC and Keap1 mRNA levels,and up-regulated CuZnSOD,CAT,GPX1a,GST,and Nrf2 mRNA levels;(4)up-regulated the insulin-like growth factor 1,2(IGF-1,IGF-2),insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor(IGF-1R),proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),Myf5,Myod,Myog,Mrf4,and MyHC mRNA levels,and decreased MSTN mRNAlevel;(5)increased muscle protein deposition by activating AKT-TOR-S6K1 and AKT-FOXO3a signaling pathways.Conclusion:These results revealed that dietary Ile improved flesh quality,which might be due to increasing nutritional content,physicochemical,texture parameters,and antioxidant ability;promoting muscle growth by affecting myocytes hyperplasia and hypertrophy,and muscle protein deposition associated with protein synthesis and degradation signaling pathways.Finally,the quadratic regression analysis of chewiness,ROS,and protein contents against dietary Ile levels suggested that the optimal dietary Ile levels for hybrid bagrid catfish was estimated to be 14.19,12.36,and 12.78 g/kg diet,corresponding to 36.59,31.87,and 32.96 g/kg dietary protein,respectively.

Immunocytochemical Identification and Localization of Diffuse Neuroendocrine System (DNES) Cells in Gastrointestinal Tract of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

To detect distribution and relative frequency of diffuse neuroendocrine system （DNES） cells in the gastrointestinal tract of channel catfish （lctalurus punctatus）, the intestinal tract of channel catfish was divided into seven portions from proximal to distal： the enlarged area after oesophagus, cardia, fundus, pylorus, and anterior, middle, and posterior intestine. Immunohistochemical method using the strept avidin-biotin-complex （SABC） was employed. All antisera between seven portions of the channel catfish were compared statistically using statistical package for the social science （SPSS）. Five types of DNES ceils were determined： neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive （NPY-IR） cells were demonstrated in both anterior and middle intestine; serotonin （5-HT） immunoreactive cells were detected throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract; vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP） positive cells were at the highest frequency in pylorus; glucagon-immunoreactive （GLU-IR） cells were moderate in number in the fundus and anterior, middle intestine, and no immunoreactivity was determined in the other portions; somatostatin （SOM） positive cells were more abundant in the anterior and middle intestine. The regional distribution and relative frequency of immunoreactive cells in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, are essentially similar to those of other fish. However, some characteristics are observed in this species, which further proved that the diversity of the physiological function of DNES cells was based on their morphology.

Malate and Lactate Dehydrogenases of a Freshwater Catfish: Impact of Endosulfan

A sublethal concentration of technical grade endosulfan (END) inhibited 35 to 55% of the activities of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (cMDH), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the liver and the skeletal muscle of a freshwater catfish, Clarias halrachus, after 7 days of exposure. The activity remained in the inhibited state up to 28 days. The withdrawal of END from the medium after 1 week of exposure gradually restored the activities to control levels within 21 days in the skeletal muscle and 28 days in the liver. The administration of actinomycin D or cycloheximide between the 14th and the 21st day of the withdrawal of END almost completely inhibited the withdrawal-dependent recovery in the activities of all the three enzymes. This indicates de novo synthesis of the enzymes during the recovery period. A conjoint treatment of END and triiodothyronine (T_3) raised the activities of cMDH, mMDH, and LDH in the liver and the skeletal muscle up to the control levels. This shows that the inhibitory effect of END may be relieved in presence of T_3. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed few changes in the pattern of cytoplasmic proteins of the liver and the skeletal muscle in response to exposure to END. 1990 Academic Press. Inc.

Lipid Oxidation of Catfish (<i>Arius maculatus</i>) after Cooking and Smoking by Different Methods Applied in Cameroon

The influence of different cooking and smoking methods (boiling, frying, frying + boiling, hot and cold smoking) on oxidation and fatty acid composition of catfish (Arius maculatus) commercialized on the Wouri river coast was evaluated including commonly used analytical indexes (peroxide and acid values)and physical analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The mean moisture, protein, ash and fat contents of raw fish were 75.88 ± 0.55;64.24 ± 0.14;10.98 ± 0.31 and 23.02 ± 0.88 respectively. All these treatments provoke the modification of the quality indexes. Lipid deterioration, thermolysis and lipid oxidation occurred throughout the treatment. Peroxide value decreased for all cooked and smoked catfish, while free fatty acids of smoked sample increased. The FTIR applied to evaluate lipid oxidation in extracted lipid clearly provided a better picture of the oxidation progress and led to a similar conclusion with chemical analysis. Boiled, bleaching hot and bleaching cold smoking were found to be the suitable treatment methods for catfish because they gave it a high nutritive value compared to other smoking methods.

Effect of Short-Term Exposure to Mercuric Chloride on the Air-Breathing Catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis──Ⅱ.Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Gill

Alterations in the respiratory epithelium of gills of a catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis by the sublethal and lethal concentrations of HgCl2 have been observcd using scanning electron microscope. Fish exposed to 0.1 ppm shows a thin coat ot mucus, but the continuous layer of mucus is not retained in 0.3 ppm after 24 h of exposure. Epithelial cells of the gill filament are hyperplastic. Other changcs in the respiratory epithelium are contraction of epithelium, formation of interlamellar bridge and diminishing number of microridges. Massive destruction of the respiratory epithelium by deep lesions and sloughing of epithelial layer in 0.5 and 1.0 ppm solutions after 6-12 h of exposure apparently causes death to the fish. SEM observations are well in conformity with the findings made at light microscopic level

Influence of Wind Vector Structure Variation of Typhoon "Catfish" Circulation on Its Pathway Mutation

[Objective] The research aimed to study the wind vector structure variation of No.1013 strong typhoon 'catfish',and its influence on typhoon pathway mutation.[Method] According to the theory that the asymmetric structure of typhoon vortex had influence on typhoon movement,the center of No.1013 super typhoon 'catfish' was as the coordinate origin,and 850,500 hPa tangential rotation speeds within 300-500 km were decomposed into u and v components.The composite force movement tendency of typhoon was analyzed.The wind vector structure variation of No.1013 strong typhoon 'catfish' and its influence on typhoon pathway mutation were discussed.[Result] At the quick movement stage of No.1013 strong typhoon,the wind vector had obvious asymmetric structure.When the typhoon rotated in situ,the wind vector presented symmetric structure.When ΔU,ΔV and composite wind vector had obvious variations,the composite force of typhoon changed,and the moved direction also would change.The asymmetric structure of wind speed near 300-500 km around 500 and 850 hPa typhoon centers was favorable for tendency of moved pathway.The pointed directions of ΔU,ΔV and composite wind vector could be as the direction of composite force movement of typhoon.[Conclusion] The research provided reference basis for typhoon prevention.

Effect of Feeding on Fresh(wet)Housefly Maggots(Musca domestica)with or without Artificial Diet on Water Quality and Growth Rates of African Catfish(Clarias gariepinus Burchell,1822)Fry under Laboratory Conditions

No or little information on the use fresh(wet)housefly maggots(Musca domestica)in African catfish(Clarias gariepinus)fry feeding.Therefore,this study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding on fresh(wet)housefly maggots with or without artificial diet on water quality,growth performance,survival percentage and feed utilization of African catfish fry under laboratory conditions.Housefly maggots produced from a mixture of poultry droppings and foods wastes,it was used to replace artificial feed at 0,50 and 100% levels.Catfish were fed artificial diet alone(Feed 1),fresh(wet)housefly maggots alone(Feed 2),and 50% fresh housefly maggots with 50% artificial diet(Feed 3)were prepared and tested on triplicate groups of African catfish fry(initial weight of 0.25±0.02 g)for 60 days.Results showed that final weight(g/fish)was significantly(P≤0.05)higher in fish fed on feed 3(6.03±0.08),followed by fish fed feed 2(4.62±0.27),followed by fish fed feed 1(3.15±0.68).Specific growth rate(%/day)was also significantly higher in fish fed on feed 3(5.31±0.10),followed by fish fed feed 2(4.86±0.03),followed by fish fed feed 1(4.18±0.24).The same trend was observed with total weight gain,percentage weight gain,daily growth rate and relative growth rate.Feed intake and protein intake were significantly(P≤0.05)higher in fish fed on feed 3 and fish fed on feed 2,followed by fish fed feed 1.While,feed conversion ratio(FCR)and protein efficiency ratio were not significantly(P>0.05),but the improvement in FCR recorded in catfish fry fed feed 3 and feed 2 under the experimental conditions.Survival percentage was within the range 55-75%,with insignificant differences(P>0.05)among treatments.The water quality parameters such as temperature,pH,dissolved oxygen,total ammonia,nitrite and nitrate were not significantly(P>0.05)between the treatments and were tolerable for Catfish culture.Accordingly,use of the 50% fresh(wet)housefly maggots with 50% artificial diet in African catfish fry feeding had positive effect on growth performance and reduce of the feed cost.

Effect of Heavy Metals Pollution on Protein Biosynthesis in Catfish

The present study was carried out to evaluate the pollution and its effect on the quality of catfish. Four sites in Eygpt were chosen for the research, Ras El-Bar (Site 1) as control, Shatta (Site 2), Kafr El-Bateekh (Site 3), and Talkha (Site 4). The research was carried out on water, sediments and catfish (serum and muscles). Nitrite, nitrate and ammonia were determined in water and sediment. Also, RNA and DNA were determined in serum samples and the muscles of the catfish. In addition, the concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Fe, Zn and Cu) were estimated in water, sediments and the muscles of catfish. Also, hepatosomatic index, liver water content, condition factor, lipid and protein contents were determined in the fish. The concentrations of nitrite, nitrate and ammonia in water and sediment of Site 4 and the levels of heavy metals especially Pb and Cd in water, sediment and muscle of catfish from Sites 3 and 4 were highly elevated compared to those of the control. On the other hand, DNA, RNA and protein contents in the catfish of Sites 3 and 4 decreased. The results illustrated that, Cd and Pb levels in the muscle of catfish were negatively correlated with DNA, RNA and with the protein contents. In conclusion, the accumulation of heavy metals in catfish tissues therefore, can cause health problems in human after catfish intake.

Length-weight relationship of eleven species of marine catfishes from the northern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan

This study records length-weight relationships （LWRs） for eleven commercially important marine catfish species of the family Ariidae （sea catfishes） and Plotosidae （eel catfishes） from the northern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan. The specimens were sampled from December 2014 to November 2015, using bottom trawls with various mesh sizes by commercial vessels. The species were Nemapteryx caelatus, Sciades sona, Arius gagora, Batrachocephalus mino, Neturna thalassina, N. bilineata, Osteogeneiosus militaris, Plicofollis dussumieri, P. tenuispinis, Plotosus limbatus, and P. lineatus. Of the eleven species, two species A. gagora and N. bilineata were recorded for the first time and LWRs for four species A. gagora, N. bilineata, S. sona, and B. mino still have no data in the FishBase database. In addition, new maximum length for each of the three species N. bilineata, O. militaris andB. mino was also found.

Microbial Food Safety Risks Associated with Fresh and Thawed Catfish Fillets during Refrigerated Storage

Fish processing environment is very favorable for the growth of microorganisms and highlights a potential risk associated with microbial hazards. The present study investigated the growth behavior of aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, and bacterial pathogens or surrogate (Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium sporogenes) on thawed and fresh catfish fillets during refrigerated storage (5&deg;C - 7&deg;C). Thawed and fresh fillets were respectively inoculated with L. monocytogenes and C. sporogenes, and packaged in LDPE bags. In uninoculated catfish, the populations of aerobic bacteria, and yeasts and molds increased significantly (P C. sporogenes vegetative cells on fresh catfish fillets. These results indicated that the microbiological quality of refrigerated thawed catfish would become unacceptable within 3 - 4 days. Our results also implied that environmental pathogens such as L. monocytogenes and Clostridium sp. can survive on catfish fillets for extended periods during refrigerated storage. Proper sanitation and hygienic practices are essential to control microbial hazards during handling and processing of catfish fillets.

DNA Barcoding of Common Commercial Sea Catfish (Genus: Plicofollis) from Kuwait

Kuwait fish market is one of the richest markets of native marine fish species. Sea catfishes are not very important in economic point of view, and only few of them (four species) are present and mistakenly, they all named (Chem). Using DNA barcode technique, the common sea catfish present in the East major fish market (Sharq) was analyzed. Based on the most common species ID databases (Barcoding of life database, BOLD and NCBI database), the most proposal identification that is compatible with major survey in 1997, the sea catfish is Plicofollis tenuispinis, the thin-spin sea catfish with similarity 100% and phylogenetic support of 78% bootstrap value. This is the first application of DNA barcode technique to thin-spine sea catfish of Kuwait.

The potential of two vegetable-carried blood meals as protein sources in African catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>, Burchell) juvenile diets

The study was designed to determine the growth response of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles on diets with two vegetable-carried blood meals (brewers’ dried grains with blood meal (BB) and rumen contents with blood meal (RB)) as protein sources and alternatives to imported commercial fish feed (CatCo?). Diets, with BB and RB included at 10%, formulated to supply 45% crude protein and 4,300 Kcal digestible energy/kg in similarity with CatCo?, were used in a 49-day trial in plastic tanks (L × B × H: 53 cm × 37 cm × 29 cm;capacity 50 liters). Juveniles were evaluated in terms of mean final body weight (MFBW), mean weight gain (MWG), average daily gain (ADG), specific growth rate (SGR), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed cost/g gain (FCGA), and mortality (as % survival). CatCo? was superior (P ? was similar (P < 0.05) to BB in PER but inferior in FCGA (0.46 vs. 0.36 Naira/g gain;1 US$ = N150). RB was similar (P < 0.05) to BB in PER but least economical in FCGA (0.51 Naira/g gain). The study demonstrated the potential of vegetable-carried blood meals from brewers’ dried grains and dewatered rumen contents as alternatives for use as feed for African catfish especially juveniles.

Virulence of <i>Aeromonas hydrophila</i>Isolated from Fresh Water Catfish

Background: A large proportion of Nigerians consume fish as the source of protein in their meals. This may be attributed to health factors, preference and affordability for low income earners. The incidence of Aeromonas hydrophila in fresh catfish may constitute a significant health risk to the consumer if there is a horizontal transfer to man as it has been reported to be pathogenic. This study examined the possibility of fresh water catfish being a reservoir of pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila. Method: Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from the different organs of fresh water catfish (Clarias gariepinus and Ictalurus punctatus) obtained from Kporoko river in Lokoja. Aeromonas hydrophila was identified using both phenotypic and genotypic methods. The pathogenic traits of the Aeromonas species such as biofilm formation, production of haemolysin, enterotoxin and enzymes were determined. Results: Aeromonas hydrophila occurred in all the examined fish organs (fish, liver, kidney, skin and gut) of Clarias gariepinus but occurred only in the skin, intestine, kidney and gut of Ictalurus punctatus examined, but the incidence of Aeromonas hydrophila was prevalent in the gut of all the fishes analyzed. All the Aeromonas isolates analysed in this study produced biofilm, haemolysins and lipase enzymes. They also produced enterotoxins with values ranging between 0.069 - 1.138. Conclusion: The occurrence of Aeromonas in fresh catfish possessing these pathogenic traits is of great public health significance to man as it indicates the likelihood of man being predisposed to toxigenicity when the toxin concentration reaches a lethal value. It is therefore recommended that the internal organs of fresh catfish be thoroughly cleaned and cooked before consumption.

Improved survival in channel catfish fed mannanoligosaccharides in an extruded diet

The high temperature and pressure achieved during cooking extrusion has been shown to affect nutrient availability. To determine the effects of extrusion temperature on the efficacy of mannanoligosaccharide (Bio-Mos?) in channel catfish, 4 experimental diets were fed for 9 wks and then challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium. Catfish (9.9 ± 0.4 g) were randomly assigned to the following treatments: Low-None (low temperature process without additive);High-None (high temperature process without additive);Low-Bio (low temperature process with 4 g/kg diet Bio-Mos?);High-Bio (high temperature process with 4 g/kg diet Bio-Mos?). Although specific growth rate and food conversion ratio were similar among treatments (P > 0.10), survival after E. ictaluri challenge was highest (P ?-laden feed resulted in survival numbers similar to diets without Bio-Mos?. Extruding catfish diets supplemented with Bio-Mos? at lower temperatures may provide another strategy to control enteric septicemia of catfish.

Study on Pond Cultivation Technology of Juvenile Poyang Lake Catfish

In this paper, the feeding strategies and related pond cultivation technology of catfish juveniles were reviewed, thereby providing technical support for largescale rearing of large-size catfish juveniles. The growth rate of Poyang Lake catfish juveniles was higher than those of juvenile black carp, grass carp, silver carp and bighead carp. Compared with southern catfish juveniles, the large-size Poyang Lake catfish juveniles had characteristics of relatively docile temperament, coarse feed resistance and lower incidence.

Cytochrome P450 Induction and Gene Expression in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus) Following Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Exposure in Field and Laboratory Settings

The objectives of this study were as follows: 1) to establish a baseline ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity level in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), 2) to assess changes in induction of cytochrome P450 enzyme in channel catfish following exposure to creek water at the discharge point from the Troy (Alabama) Wastewater Treatment Plant (TWWTP) compared to upstream samples from Walnut Creek, 3) to compare EROD activity in populations maintained in laboratory and field settings, and 4) to quantify cytochrome P450 gene expression. Enzyme activity was measured fluorometrically and CYP1 gene expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A mean EROD baseline was established at 0.03 nmol/min/μg of protein. The overall mean field effluent (TF) EROD had a significant 5-fold increase over field upstream (UF) exposed catfish;and overall mean laboratory effluent (TL) exposed catfish EROD had a significant 1.8-fold increase over laboratory upstream (UL) exposed catfish. Field exposures generally showed more robust enzyme induction over laboratory exposures on all sampling days. Ex- pression of the CYP1B gene following TF exposure was 6-fold over UF. Results suggested that in situ exposure to wastewater pollutants using caged test organisms provided a much more sensitive local monitor of pollutant exposure and biological impact than ex situ toxicological studies.

Bioaccumulative Characteristics of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Channel Catfish and Fish Feeds from China

PBDEs are widely used brominated flame retardant, which are increasingly reported in the environment. Concentrations of thirteen PBDEs in a large number of channel catfish and fish feeds collected from Hubei province of China were investigated in this study. A fast isotopic dilution GC-MS method was firstly developed to simultaneously determine thirteen PBDEs in channel catfish and fish feeds in this study, and especially for the first time PBDEs in fish feeds. Pressurized liquid extraction and multi-layer silica gel column chromatography cleanup were used, some important steps and crucial parameters were modified and intensified compared with other literatures, and GC and MS conditions were optimized. The limits of quantitation values of 0.25 - 5 μg·kg-1 wet weight in channel catfish were calculated for PBDEs;so did 1 - 20 μg·kg-1 wet weight in fish feeds. In addition, good repeatability and accuracy of the whole method were achieved. The established methods were therefore suitable for the simultaneous determinations of thirteen PBDEs in these samples at trace contamination levels. Using the established methods, PBDEs emerged in 10 of 180 channel catfish and 13 of 115 fish feeds, and the dominant PBDEs homologues were PBDE-28, PBDE-47, PBDE-100, PBDE-99, PBDE-154, PBDE-153 and PBDE-183. The detection rates of seven PBDEs congeners were in turn respectively 1.74%, 7.83%, 4.35%, 5.22%, 3.48%, 2.61% and 2.61% in fish feeds, and detection rates of seven PBDEs congeners were in turn respectively 1.11%, 3.89%, 2.22%, 1.67%, 1.11%, 1.11% and 1.11% in channel catfish. There was significant correlation in PBDEs between matching channel catfish and fish feeds (R2 = 0.742, P < 0.001, n = 30), suggesting that fish feeds contaminated with PBDEs possibly resulted in PBDEs residual in channel catfish through biological transfer.

Optimization of process conditions for drying of catfish(Clarias gariepinus)using Response Surface Methodology(RSM)

Drying is applied to lower the moisture content of fish to a level that can prevent the growth of mould and infestation of micro-organism and thus minimizes microbial degradation.The goal of this work was to optimize the process conditions during electrical oven drying of catfish.Moisture content(MC)was quantitatively investigated during the drying process of catfish sizes using response surface methodology(RSM)to obtain minimum moisture content.The independent process variables for the drying process were temperature(50–70◦C),product thickness(10–20 mm),salt concentration(0–20%)and drying time(480–600 min.).Two factorial interaction(2FI)regression model describing the effects of independent drying process variables on the moisture content was developed.The effects of temperature and drying time were more pronounced for MC than the thickness and salt concentration.The optimum conditions were found to be temperature=63.43◦C,product thickness=14.81 mm,salt concentration=9.07%and drying time=600 min.At these optimum conditions,moisture content was found to be 2.64%w.b.Validation of experimental results with the empirical model was evaluated using coefficient of correlation(R2)which was found for the model equation as,R2=0.994.