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Stocking Density of Threatened Cat Fish Heteropneustes Fossilis (bloch, 1792) in Seasonal Ponds of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

M. A. Samad*
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

A. S. Bhuiyan
Department of zoology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An attempt was made to evaluate the effect of stocking density on the growth of Heteropneustes fossilis for a period of six months reared in earthen ponds at Rajshahi University Campus. H. fossilis fingerling were stocked at the rate of 320, 280, 240/dec in treatment T1, T2 and T3, respectively, The treatments had significant effects on the weight gain, length gain, ADG, SGR parameters among the treatments. Highest weight gain (45.90g) was observed in T3 and lowest (36.97g) in T1. Significant (P<0.05) highest yield was obtained in case of T2 and T3 and it was 2686.80 kg/ha and 2343 kg/ha, respectively. Higher net benefits (5,18519.91TK/ha) were obtained from treatment T2, than from treatments T1 and T3, water temperature, transparency, pH and dissolved oxygen did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the treatments depicting the suitable range for fish culture. The plankton levels in all the treatments were found to be at optimum state. Final length, final weight and survival of fingerlings followed the same trends of weight gain. Cost benefit ratio was also highest (1:0.93) in T2, followed by T3 and T1. Overall, highest growth, fish yield survival (95.67%) rate and net benefits of fingerlings were obtained at a density of 280/dec (69, 160 individuals/ha) in treatment T2 were recorded.

Keywords: Stocking density; Yield; Heteropneustes fossilis, Cost beneﬁt ratio

Location: Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Cat fish

Objectives:

The present investigations were carried out to ascertain the optimum stocking density and enhanced yield of H. fossilis in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Location of the study area The experiment was performed in earthen ponds of 40.4m² in the hatchery complex, Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi for a period of six months. The ponds were similar in shape, depth, basin configuration including water supply facilities. The water depth was maintained around 1.2-1.5 m. To maintain the water level and to keep the good water quality, water was added to the ponds at regular intervals using pump machine. Experimental design The experiment was designed in a completely randomized design with three treatments namely T1, T2, and T3, each having three replications. Three different stocking densities were maintain in the experimental ponds as 320/dec (79,040 individual/ha) in the T1, 280/dec (69,160 individual/ha) in the T2 and 240/dec (59,280 individual/ha) in the T3, respectively. The same size of H. fossilis fry were stocked to serve this purpose. Low cost indigenous feed (27% protein level) provided to the fishes was same in this trial for each treatment, variation being only in stocking density. Pond preparation Control of undesirable species and aquatic weeds: Aquatic weeds and undesirable species were completely removed from all the experimental ponds by draining out of water. Lime (Calcium carbonate) was applied at the rate of 240 kg ha^-1. Lime was liquefied into an aluminum bucket and then applied by spreading homogeneously in the ponds. Fertilization Ponds were fertilized with urea and triple super phosphate (TSP) each at a rate of 25 kg ha^-1 (Mazid, 2002) and cowdung at a rate of 1000 kg ha^-1 after three days of liming. TSP was applied after dissolving in plastic buckets for 10 to 12 hours before application. Fertilizers were applied by spreading methods. Collection of fishes The fingerlings H. fossilis were collected from a private hatchery of the Madhupur Upazila of Tangail district in Bangladesh. The average weights of the fingerlings were 9.20±1.68 g Fingerlings were brought to the experimental site through plastic barrels with proper aeration. After completion of the first trial the fingerlings were again collected from the same place. Stocking Fingerlings were stocked at densities of 320/dec, 280/dec and 240/dec in T1, T2, T3, respectively. The fingerlings were transferred plastic bucket and released the experimental ponds. The length and weight of around 10% of all fingerlings of each pond were measured and recorded for estimating initial stocking biomass and to adjust initial feeding rate for fishes. The fishes were stout and naturally moving at the time of releasing in the ponds. Feeding of fishes The supplemental feed was given to H. fossilis at the rate of 5% of their body weight for proper growth of fishes at the beginning. The fishes were fed (containing 27% crude protein) daily at a rate of 5% of body weight for the first three months and 3% of body weight for next three months. Half of the required feed per day was supplied in the morning and rest half in the afternoon. The feeding was adjusted on the basis of fish weight. Feed requirements were calculated and adjusted after sampling of fishes once in a month. The proximate composition of feed ingredients and experimental diets was analyzed according to the methods given in Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 1980). Growth sampling of fishes Fishes were sampled fortnightly using cast net to assess their growth and health condition. At least 10 fishes from each pond were taken to make assessment of growth trends and to readjust feeding rate. Length and weight of sampled fishes were measured using a measuring scale and digital electronic balance (OHAUS, MODEL no. CT-1200-S). Fishes were handled carefully to avoid stress during sampling. Water quality monitoring Study of water quality variables: A number of water quality parameter such as temperature (°C), transparency (cm), pH, dissolved oxygen (mg l^-1) alkalinity, ammonia-nitrogen (mg l^-1), were measured fortnightly at 9:00-10:00 am at the pond site to assess the physico-chemical condition of the pond. Estimation of growth, survival, production and feed utilization Twenty individuals from in each pond were sampled every ten days interval until they attained the marketing size. The growth performance of the individual were evaluated in terms of length and weight. Mean weight gain, average daily gain (ADG), specific growth rate (SGR), Food conversion factor (FCR), Survival rate (%) and mean values( SD) for each parameter were computed. Average daily gain (ADG) and (%) Survival were followed according to De silva (1989). SGR and FCR were calculated according to Brown (1957), Castell and Tiews (1980), Hepher (2009) respectively. After six month, the fishes were harvested by repeated netting, followed by drying the ponds. The individuals were counted and weighed. Survival and production (number.ha^-1) of fishes were then calculated and compared among the treatment. Economic analysis Economic analysis was done to estimate the economic return in each treatment from the mono culture of H. fossilis. The cost of each ingredient was calculated on the basis of Rajshahi whole sale market price. The total cost of inputs was calculated and the economic return was determined by the differences between the total return (from the current market prices) and the total input cost. The cost in taka per unit yield (CPY) was calculated and was expressed as the cost in Tk/kg of fishes produced. Statistical analysis The data were analyzed through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science, version-11.5) followed by Duncan Multiple Range test to find out whether any significant difference existed among treatment means (Duncan, 1955). The level of significance was evaluated. The results are displayed as superscripts against each respective value.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 52(4), 253-262, 2017

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Considering increase in growth rate, survival, net production and profit of H. fossilis, the stocking density of the treatment T2 produced better result when compared to the higher densities. Thus a stocking density of 69160 individuals/h^-1 (280/dec.) could be recommended to culture in earthen ponds in Rajshahi region. Stinging cat fish is an important and threatened high valued fish species which will definitely play an important role for livelihood upliftment of the rural fish farmers. So, the farmers may come forward for adapting H. fossilis culture techniques from which they will be able to make more profit than other fish species.

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