Kat-a-Log

[katfish]

The USDA is continuing research with channel cat X blue cat hybrids.
These are farm raised hybrids. There is some commercial advantage to the cross and this research is to increase efficiency of the embryo production.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?accn_no=422473
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Catchabiggun,
Robby

[SeanStone]

I have read similar articles to this one before. There's even a bit of a conspiracy theory that many of the state record channels are indeed hybrids that have formed naturally. Although I they are just opinions and there is no factual evidence behind these claims, I believe that it would be possible. The bluegill has many hybridization species, the striped bass do too.
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Sean Stone

[katfish]

Sean

One of the main items concerning fish hybrids is that the hybrids may not cross back to parent spevies and dilute the gene pool. Most commercially stocked hybrids either are sterile (such as saugeye) or mostly infertile.

Hybrid bluegills go back to natural traits at X4 or X5 (4 to 5 generations).
Several hybrid fish have been abandonded and destroyed because they would dilute genetics. The Uninversity of Illinois "meanmouth bass" originally a smallmouth x largemouth cross that would interbreed with both species, was abandonded and destroyed.

http://archives.in-fisherman.com/content/hybrid-black-bass

Now several states are creating a smallmouth x spotted bass cross called the meanmouth. Missouri and Georgia lead in their production but catches are rare. Their lack of reproductive capabilities and traits make them unsuitable for the wild.

I suspect any natural crosses of channel and blue catfish would be rare.
Size difference, habitat difference and temperature of spawn water would all work against natural hybridization. Reading the Miss article you can see there is much research being done to sustain viability of spawns even in research facilities. The hybridization is difficult even done in labratory conditions with the addition of enzymes.
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Catchabiggun,
Robby