Short communication:Effects of stocking density on growth performance and profitability of Labeo bata fry reared in earthen ponds

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stocking density on growth, production and profitability of farming Labeo bata fry in earthen rearing ponds for a period of ۶۰ days. Labeo bata, fry (mean initial length, ۳.۴۲ ± ۰.۰۷cm and weight,  ۱.۰۲ ± ۰.۰۶ g) were stocked at ۷۵۰, ۱۰۰۰ and ۱۲۵۰ decimal-۱ in treatment-۱(T۱), treatment-۲ (T۲) and treatment-۳ (T۳) respectively, each with two replicates. Growth performance in term of final length and weight, net length and weight gain, specific growth rate were significantly higher (P<۰.۰۵) in T۱ than those of T۲ and T۳. Feed Conversion Ratio followed the opposite trends as specific growth rate. Production in terms of weight was found to be higher in T۲ followed by T۳ and T۱, because of higher stocking density compare to T۱ and higher weight gain in comparison to fish reared under T۳ as well as insignificance variation in survival rate between T۱ and T۲. Consistently higher net benefits were found from treatment T۲, which could be recommended to adopt. Moreover, further studies are also required to find out suitable culture technique that could enhance the production experimenting with different feeding frequencies as well as by manipulating culture systems. 

Keywords:

Stocking density , Labeo bata , Earthen pond , Yield , Cost-benefit analysis