IMPACT OF STOCKING DENSITY ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF STUNTED FINGERLINGS

Abstract

The impact of stocking densities on growth performance of stunted fingerlings was evaluated. Advanced fries of Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala each weighing between 0.66 and 0.72 grams were reared in earthen ponds with optimum water quality parameters for 120 days. Three ponds with dimensions of 2442m² (T1), 2176m² (T2), and 2652m²(T3) were adopted considering the existing facilities in the study site. T1was stocked with 50 fries/m², T2 with 60 fries/m², and T3 with 70 fries/m² of L. rohita and C. mrigala mixed in equal proportion. The fingerlings were fed a commercial sinking pellet with 35% protein at a rate of 2% of their body weight throughout the study. Descriptive statistics, including the mean, standard deviation, and percentages were analyzed for quantitative variables. ANOVA was utilized to assess differences in the growth performance of stunted fingerlings. Treatment T1 resulted in the highest weight gain (7.12±5.09g), and the highest density treatment, T3, showed the lowest weight gain (3.63±3.62g) with all significance tests conducted at the 5% level. Survival rates varied from 44.53% to 84.04% with T1 showing significantly higher survival rate. Similarly, T1 exhibited the best specific growth rate of 1.98 as compared to other two treatments. Therefore, the research observed that a stocking density of 50 fries/m² is optimal stocking density particularly for L. rohita and C. mrigala to derive a maximum yield in terms of stunted fingerlings.