Growth And Survival Of Heterobranchus longifilis Fry In Different Stocking Densities

Abstract

Heterobranchus longifilis (0.63±0.0g) fry were reared in four stocking densities in hapas immersed in concrete tanks for 42 days. There were significant variations (P<0.05) in the condition factors, mean final weights and the specific growth rates of the fish stocked at different densities. Optimal growth was observed in fish stocked at 10 fish/m3 which had mean weight gain, 8.6g, specific growth rate, 6.36 and condition factor, 0.77. There was no significant (P>0.05) effect of stocking density on food conversion ratio which ranged from 0.81 to 0.87. There was an inverse relationship in the weight gain with stocking densities. Production of fish showed higher biomass with higher stocking density but higher individual weight with lower stocking densities. The survival of fish during the study was high (96.6% – 100%) in all four stocking densities

Keywords: Stocking density, Growth, Survival, H. longifilis.

The Zoologist Vol. 6 2008: pp. 21-26