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Rearing Feasibility of African Catfish, Clarias Gariepinus Burchell Fry in the Outdoor Net Cages

G. U. AHMED
Department of Fisheries Biology and Limnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

M. G. KIBRIA
Department of Fisheries Biology and Limnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

M. F. ISLAM
Department of Fisheries Biology and Limnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Over a 56-day experimental period, growth of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell fry significantly (P < 0.01) increased at a stocking density of 19 and 37 fry 1^-1 when compared with 56 fry 1^-1. Similarly the lower stocking densities had significantly higher survival percentage when compared with higher one. Supplemental food (Tubifex and Sabinco starter-1) along with phyto-and zooplankton produced by intensive fertilization in fish pond proved as suitable food for rearing of African catfish fry. Thus rearing of catfish fry in outdoor net cages could be a suitable method which provided 70 to 80% survivability. A stocking of 37 larvae L^-1 could be recommended to rear in such a system.

Keywords: African catfish, Rearing feasibility, Net cages.

Location: Fisheries Faculty Building, BAU campus, Mymensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Cat fish

Objectives:

To rear catfish in the net cages set in earthen ponds.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted in an earthen pond (0.0067 ha) adjacent to the Fisheries Faculty Building, BAU campus, Mymensingh. The pond was kept free from undesirable animal by using phostoxin tablets at the rate of 750 tablets/ha/m depth. Lime was applied after seven days of application of phostoxin tablets at the rate of 250 kg/ha. After three days, decomposed cowdung, urea and triple super phosphate (TSP) were applied at the rate of 4500 kg/ha, 50 kg/h and 50 kg/ha, respectively at an interval of 19 days. Nine net cages of size 60 x 30 x 30 cm were prepared with net having 0.1 cm mesh. A bamboo frame was made and placed in the pond where all the cages were fixed within the frame in such a position that 15 cm of the structure of each cage remained below the water. Thus the effective size of cages were 60 x 30 x 15 cm. Fourteen days old African catfish fry of initial length and weight of 1.50 cm and 0.03 g, respectively were used in the present study. Three treatments were considered each having three replicates. The cages of treatments 1, 2 and 3 were stocked with catfish larvae at a rate of 500 (19/1), 1000 (37/1) and 1500 (56/1) per cages, respectively. Planktonic population produced in the pond was the main source of live feed for larvae. Larvae was also fed with supplemental feed at the rate of 10% bw between 0800 and 1600 hr. Supplemental feed was the combination of fresh chopped Tubiiex and powdered starter-I bought from Saudi BangIa Fish Feed Ltd, Bhaluka, Mymensingh. The feed were supplied in circular metallic plates called "Thala" that was set at nearly bottom portion at net cages. Weekly sampling was carried out where total length (cm) and weight (g) were measured by a scale and an electrical balance (Mettler, Type PJ 3000). A weekly record of water quality parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature were also maintained. The parameters were determined by pH meter (Jenway microprocessor pH meter, model No. 3100), DO meter (Jenway oxygen meter, model No. 9070) and a centigrade thermometer, respectively. From the experimental pond 15 liters of water sample was sieved out to collect 250 ml plankton sample which then preserved in 5% formalin. Samples were collected at an interval of seven days to determine qualitative and quantitative value of phyto- and zooplankton from the pond. The experiment was carried out for a period of 56 days. ANOVA and Ducan's Multiple Range Test were carried out.

Source of Information: Journal of The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh Science. Vol. 23, (No-1), pp: 9-14, June-1997

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In earthen ponds along huge mortality of catfish fry were recorded due to predation and loss of energy of the fry during journeys for air breathing. A net cage system could solve the above problems. Thus in net cages placed in ponds or ponds alone, additional feed together with phyto- and zooplankton produced by fertilization could supplement as food for rearing of African catfish fry. Considering growth and survival rate 37 larval 1^-1 proved to be a suitable stocking density to rear catfish fry. Culture of catfish fry in such a system is less labour intensive and the costs of the total system is also minimum. Thus such a system could be recommended for the rearing of African catfish fry commercially.

Knowledge Management: Journal