The effects of stocking density on the growth and survival of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry at son fish farm, Uganda

Abstract

Besides affecting land usability that subsequently impacting on profitability of an aquaculture venture, stocking density is believed to affect growth rate and survival of fish species stocked. In this study, Nile tilapia fry were randomly stocked at densities 1000, 1330, 2000, 2670, 4000 and 5330 fry/m3 for an experimental period of 23 days. All fish were fed a commercial feed (45% protein) at levels of 20, 18 and 15% body weight in week one, two and three. The impact of stocking density on standard length, body weight, survival, growth homogeneity, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratios was determined on samples taken weekly for the experimental. A negative correlation between stocking density and growth rate was recorded. Survival was lowest with high stocking densities, 87% at 4000 fry/m3 and 82.9 at 5330 fry/m3.Results demonstrate that increasing the stocking density of Nile tilapia fry beyond 2670 fry/m3 significantly affects survival and growth of fry (ANOVA). © 2014 Ronald N, et al.