Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Culture and Production of Monosex Tilapia (oreochromis Niloticus) Under Different Feeding Frequency in Ponds

Md. Mahfuzul Karim
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding frequency on the growth and production of monosex male tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.). The experiment was conducted in six ponds situated in the Reliance Aqua Farm, Rahmatpur, Sadar, Mymensingh for a period of four months commencing from 7th July to 4th November, 2012. The ponds were equal in size (16 decimal) and similar in shape (rectangular). Ponds were prepared by weeding, eradicated undesirable species, liming and fertilization with cow dung, urea and triple super phosphate (TSP) at the rate of 3 kg, 100 g and 75 g/dec, respectively. The proximate composition of the experimental diet (% dry matter basis) was moisture 12.14%, protein 27.94%, lipid 7.95%, ash 15.38% and NFE 36.59%. A stocking density of 200 fish per decimal was used for the experiment. Three feeding frequency, four times in a day (T1), three times in a day (T2) and two times in a day (T3) were used. The fry were initially fed at the rate of 30% of their body weight and the rate was reduced to 5% gradually at the final week. The water quality parameter was monitored at 15 days intervals and they were more or less similar in three treatments and remained within the suitable ranges for aquaculture. The range of water quality parameters were, water temperature 27.1 to 32°C, Dissolved oxygen 4.2 to 6.6 mg/l and water pH 6.98 to 8.3 during the experimental period. The growth parameters were also monitored at 15 days interval. The mean initial weight of fry in three treatments were 5.7g and after completion of the experiment the mean final weight of tilapia was 329.38 g for T1, 300.25 g for T2 and 250.42 g for T3. The mean weight gain of 323.68, 294.55 and 244.72 g and mean percent weight gain of 5678.65, 5167.54 and 4293.27% and mean SGR of 3.38, 3.30 and 3.15% were recorded in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The highest weight gain, percent weight gain and SGR were found in T1 having the feeding frequency four times a day and lowest was found in T3 having feeding frequency two times a day. The survival rate was 94.75, 93.0 and 90.5% in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. FCR values were 0.883, 0.971 and 1.168. The best FCR value was obtained in T1 where fry were fed with four times feeding frequency. The production was observed to be 62.42, 55.85 and 45.33 kg/dec/4 months in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The significantly (P0.01) highest fish production was 62.42 kg/dec/4 months in T1 and production was found to be decreased significantly with the decrease in feeding frequencies. The lowest fish production was 45.33 kg/dec/4 months in T3. The result of the present study demonstrated that four times feeding frequency played better effect on the growth and production performance of monosex male tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Keywords: PRODUCTION, MONOSEX TILAPIA, FEEDING FREQUENCY

Location: Rahmatpur, Sadar, Mymensingh.

Start Date: 07-07-2012

End Date: 04-11-2012

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Tilapia

Objectives:

To determine the growth performance of monosex male tilapia at different feeding frequency and find out the effective feeding frequency to increase the production in ponds.

Methodology:

Study area and pond facilities: The experiment was conducted in six ponds situated in the Reliance Aqua Farm, Rahmatpur, Sadar, Mymensingh for a period of four months commencing from 7th July to 4th November, 2012. The study was conducted with the fry of monosex male tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) having a size of 5.7 g to study the effect of feeding frequency on the growth of Oreochromis niloticus fed on a commercial diet. The ponds were equal in size (16 decimal) and similar in shape (rectangular). The water depth was maintained at a maximum 1.3 m. Each pond was provided with well organized inflow and outflow system to maintain the required water level. Pond preparation: Preparation of the ponds was done a month before stocking fish in the following manner: Draining and drying: The water of the ponds were drained and kept for sundry about a week, until the bottom cracks or harden sufficiently to support a man on his feet without sinking more than 1 cm. The ponds soil was dried every time after harvest. Periodic drying stabilizes soil colloids and oxidizes organic matters that encourage the growth of natural fish foods. Draining and drying eradicate competitor fishes and predators, and kill disease-causing organisms. Cultivation of pond bottom: The pond bottom was ploughed and dried. Ploughing makes sub-surface nutrients available at the surface for the growth of fish food in the pond, eradicate burrowing predators like mudfish and eliminate undesirable pond weeds. Levelling: The pond’s bottom was leveled after cultivation. Levelling makes the pond bottom slope gradually from its farthest end down towards the drainage structures - the deepest portion of the pond. Repairing gates, dikes and screens: All gates and pipes were checked for broken slabs and other parts. Repair screens to prevent predators and pests from entering the pond system. Clean to remove debris which may cause clogging. Weeds, pests and predator control: Fish production in ponds is commonly affected by some pests and predators. Predators are organisms which prey on the cultured fish. Animals that compete for food or space are called competitors. Aquatic weeds were removed manually from the ponds. The grasses on the pond dyke were also pruned manually to very small size. Complete eradication of all undesirable fish, insects and other aquatic life forms were done by using phostoxin tablet (3 g per tablet, Organic Pharmaceuticals Limited) at the rate of six tablets per decimal. After a few hours of phostoxin tablet administration the dead organisms were collected from the ponds by repeated netting and buried into the soil in order to prevent unwanted contamination and pollution. Soil conditioning: Soil acidity limits the production of natural fish food by decreasing the amount of plant nutrients and, in some extreme cases, kills fish. In cases where soil pH is below 7.0, it is important to control acidity to ensure high fish production. Analyze pond soil at least once a year to determine its exact pH value. Soil analysis is especially recommended for newly constructed fish ponds as basis for proper soil conditioning. Liming corrects soil acidity, promotes the release of soil nutrients, precipitates suspended materials which hamper light penetration and reduces incidence of fish diseases. One week after weeds, pests and predator control, lime was administrated at a rate of 1 kg/dec. Lime was liquefied into an earthen pot and then administrated by spreading on ponds water and ponds embankment. For the purpose agricultural lime (CaCO₃) and quicklime (CaO) were used. Fertilizer application: Applying fertilizer in ponds to supply the nutrients needed for plant growth is a fundamental part of fish pond management. Fish production per unit area can be increased as much as five-fold by proper application of fertilizer. Seven days after liming, the ponds were fertilized with cow dung, urea and triple super phosphate (TSP) at the rate of 3 kg, 100 g and 75 g/dec, respectively. After a week of fertilization the water was tested for natural food. Experimental design: Monosex male tilapia (O. niloticus) fry was stocked as experimental species. Ponds were divided into three treatments Viz. T1, T2, and T3 each having two replications, for feeding fish four times a day, three times a day and two times a day respectively. The size of the each pond is 16 decimal. The fry stocking rate per decimal was 200 and feed was presented in each pond at the same rate of fish body weight. Fry collection and stocking of fry: The fries of Oreochromis niloticus were collected from Reliance Hatchery, Trishal, Mymensingh. After collecting the fries were kept in a nursery pond at a high stocking density. After three days later fries were transferred to the experimental grow out ponds. The average weight of each fry was 5.7 g. The stocking density of fry was 200 per decimal. Same stocking density was maintained the in six experimental ponds. Proper methods and hygienic conditions were maintained during release the fry into the ponds. Feeding: Feeding is important part for not only fish culture but also for other living things. Feeding is important for proper growth of fish, maintain the health of fish and protect the fish from different diseases. Different types of tilapia fish feeds are commercially available in the market. Three types of fish feed were used throughout the culture period. These are Starter feed, grower feed and finisher feed. Starter feed was applied from releasing the fries to three weeks, then started to apply grower feed. Last two weeks, finisher feed was used. Mainly MEGA fish feed was used throughout the experimental period. Some feed samples were taken for chemical analysis to determine the proximate compositions of feed. Analytical methods: Proximate composition of the experimental feed used and its ingredients and fish sample were analyzed in triplicate according to standard procedures given in Association of Official Analytical Chemist. Analysis of the experimental data: Data collected during growth trials and subsequent analysis of data was used to determine the growth trials in different treatments were calculated. Water quality parameters: Water quality parameters should be monitored every 15 days interval throughout the experimental period to maintain the proper environment of experimental fish, and it will also help to obtain better production. Important water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, water temperature and pH were monitored throughout the experimental period. Dissolved oxygen of pond water was measured by using test kit. The pH of water was measured by using pH meter, temperature of pond water was monitored by using a celsius thermometer and data were recorded routinely during the experimental period. Sampling procedure: Sampling of the experimental fish was done randomly at an interval of 15 days by using seine net and scoop net in order to check the growth performance of fish and also adjust the feeding rate. Growth of fish in each sampling was taken by weight of fish. Weight of sampling fish was taken by using a balance. Statistical analysis: One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effect of feeding frequency on the growth of mono-sex tilapia in different treatments. For this purpose the present data were converted to arcsine and then applied for analysis. This was followed by Duncans New Multiple Range Test (DMRT), to identify the level of significance of variance among the treatments. Computer analysis of data was done by using the software SPSS program and MS excel program.

Source of Information: MS Thesis, Roll No. 11 Fish Aqua JD-17 M, Registration No.: 38376 Session 2011-2012, Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It was found that increased feeding frequency played better result on the growth and production of monosex male tilapia.

Knowledge Management: Thesis