Effect of Stocking Density on Growth, survival and water parameters of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in concrete tanks

Abstract

The present study was conducted over a 40 days by using three rearing densities (Density (1) =50, Density (2) = 75, and Density (3) = 100fish/m³) with same leve of feeding rates (10% of body weight) and using Formulated feed 35% crude protein (CP) to show the effect of stocking density on the growth and survival of fingerlings Oreochromes niloticus L. cultured in concrete tanks. Fish initial weight 2 ± 0.03g was stocked at three different densities and same concrete tank (1³). Fish of each density were fed on the above experimental diet twice daily, 6days a week, for 6 weeks. The growth parameters were inversely affected by stocking density. The average final weight varied significantly (p<0.05) and varied at Density (1) from 2 to 3.2 g, Density (2) from 2.3 to 2.8 g and Density (3) from 2.35 to 2.50g). Fish stocked at 50fish/m exhibited the highest average weight gain (1.2± 0.03 g) whiles; fish stocked at 100fish/m recorded the lowest average weight gain (0.15 ± 0.03 g). The survival rate at each group effected by densities and the overall results recorded here reveal that the best growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus at 50 fish /m.