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Effect of Low Cost Feed on the Growth Performance of Prawn (macrobrachium Rosenbergii) in Gher Farming System

M. A. H. Chisty*
Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

S. M. Rahman
Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Fresh water giant prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) were reared in 12 mini ghers at a density of 2 individuals /m2 for 90 days. The average initial weight of the species was 7.88 ± 0.023g. There were four treatments each of which with three replications. The control was done by feeding the prawns with a commercial prawn feed. Two farm made low cost feed, incorporating soybean and mustard oil cake, were prepared and fed the prawns to compare the growth performance with the commercial prawn feed and designated as T-1 and T-2 respectively. In another treatment, prawns were kept in natural condition and designated as T-3. The water quality of the ghers was monitored and found to be within acceptable limits. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) among the treatments. Although some nutrition was derived from the natural productivity of the gher, it was not sufficient for the optimum growth of the reared species indicating lowest growth in T-3. Good growth performance was observed in control and T-1 and no significant differences (P>0.05) were found between them. Relatively lower growth rate was observed in T-2. Though control indicated the best growth performance, soybean containing supplemental feed could be used to obtain satisfactory production in relation to economics of production.

Keywords: Macrobrachium rosenbergii; Galda; Prawn feed; Gher culture, Growth; Water quality

Location: Khulna regions

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Feed, Prawn

Objectives:

The present study was undertaken with the following objectives: i) to find out a suitable low cost feed for prawn culture in gher farming system ii) to compare the efficiency of low cost feed with commercial fish feed iii) to find out the potentiality of utilizing locally available feed ingredients for the development of appropriate prawn feed.

Methodology:

Twelve earthen mini ghers were excavated. Each of the ghers had a 50 m² surface area and 1 m depth of peripheral canals. All ghers were rain fed. The experiment was conducted for 90 days to observe the growth performance of prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Prawns were provided with different types of commercial and low cost farm made supplementary feed. There were four treatments each of which with three replicates. Two farm made feed using different levels of ingredients was prepared to feed the prawns. These were treated as T-1 and T2. In another treatment, prawns were reared in natural condition without supplying any feed or fertilizer and was designated as T-3. A commercial prawn feed (Saudi-Bangla Prawn Feed) fed to the prawn was treated as control.

Liming was done at a rate of 1kg/decimal. Before stocking all the prawns were well acclimatized to the ghers. About two and half months old juvenile prawns were released to the ghers. The average weight of the prawns with an average weight of 7.88 g ±0.023 g was then released at a stocking density of 2/ m². The feeds were supplied to the prawn twice at a level of 5% body weight per day. To adjust the feeding level and to observe the growth performance of the prawns, sampling was carried out fortnightly. Throughout the experimental period, the water quality parameters such as temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen (in the early morning) were monitored daily while total alkalinity was measured fortnightly.

Source of Information: Khulna University Studies 1(2): 245-249

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The present study showed that in spite of good water quality and acceptable stocking density, the growth performance of prawns under natural production was poorer and thus they need additional feed. Good growth performance could be obtained by feeding prawns with either commercial fish feed (Saudi-Bangla Prawn Special Feed) or soybean-containing farm-made feed at a feeding level of 5% body weight /day. Though commercial fish feed yielded better (62.13 g/m²) growth performance compared to T-1 (50.99 g/m²), soybean containing supplemental feed could be used to obtain good growth performance if the economic point is considered.

Knowledge Management: Journal