Short Communication · Volume 50, Issue 6, 6 November 2018 · Open Access
Stocking Density and its Effect on Growth Parameters of Catfish Rita rita (Hamilton) Reared in Cemented Cisterns
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Affiliations & Notes ⌄
- 1Faculty of Biosciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh 2Department of Fresh Water Biology and Fisheries, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 3Faculty of Animal Product Technology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh * Corresponding author: dr_ntnarejo46@yahoo.com
Article Info ⌄
- Journal:
- Pakistan Journal of Zoology
- Published:
- 6 November 2018

From the article
- The impact of density on survival and growth rate of catfish Rita rita under different densities like 10, 20 and 30 fish/cistern, results of the experiment showed highest survival, specific growth rate and growth in 20 fish/cistern.
- No competition for food and space observed at low density culture of this fish.
Selected from the article's own text.
Abstract
Materials and methods
For the present study 150 juveniles of experimental fish R. rita of mean initial weight of 9.70±1.2g were procured from the stock, maintained in cemented cisterns (size 1.25m2) in the University. The experiment was started from June-August 2016 in three cemented cisterns with 10, 20 and 30 fish/cisterns.
The experimental fish was fed with the chicken viscera procured from the local market once a day at 8 AM in the morning at the rate of 5% of body weight. The amount of feed was adjusted after weighing the fish after monthly sampling.
Water quality parameters like pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and ammonia nitrate were monitored fortnightly with the help of analyzer number C-6020 throughout the study period.
Results
The growth of R. rita in cemented cisterns showed variation among different densities. 20 fish/cistern exhibited significantly (p >0.05) highest growth in terms of weight gain (26.4 g) followed by 10 (11.7 g) and 30 (8.8 g) fish/cistern. The specific growth (SGR% day) and survival rates was also highest with 20 fish/cistern (0.48 and 100%) in comparison to 10 (0.36 and 90%) and 30 (0.31 and 80%) fish/cistern (Table I).
Table I.- Data on growth performance of catfish, Rita rita (Hamilton) under different stocking densities reared in cemented cisterns fed with chopped chicken viscera.
| Parameters | Cistern I (n=10) | Cistern II (n=20) | Cistern III (n=30) |
| Mean initial wt. (g) | 9.4 a1 ± 0.332 | 9.4 a1 ± 0.582 | 9.4 a1 ± 0.142 |
| Mean final wt. (g) | 20.1b ± 0.28 | 35.8a ± 0.84 | 18.20c ± 0.42 |
| Mean wt. gain (g) | 11.7b ± 0.35 | 26.4a ± 0.53 | 8.8c ± 0.28 |
| Wt. gain (%) | 113.82b±2.57 | 174.46a±2.06 | 82.97c±1.75 |
| SGR (%per day) | 0.36b ± 0.014 | 0.48a ± 0.014 | 0.31c ± 0.013 |
| FCR | 3.61b ± 0.19 | 2.57c ± 0.23 | 4.08a ± 0.13 |
| Survival rate (%) | 90.0b ± 1.0 | 100.0a ± 0.0 | 80.0c ± 2.0 |
| Production (kg/m3/90 days) | 0.308b ± 0.0012 | 0.206c ± 0.001 | 0.406a ± 0.001 |
1Figure in the same row having same superscripts are not significantly (p˂0.05) different when compared on the basis of Duncan’s new Multiple Range test. 2Standard deviation. Wt., weight.
Table II.- Month-wise variation in water quality parameters of cemented cisterns throughout the study period.
| Para-meters | Months | Ref.ranges* | ||
| June | July | August | ||
| Mean(Range) | Mean(Range) | Mean(Range) | ||
| Temp. (ºC) | 29.1±1.0 (28.1-30.1) | 30.6±0.1 (30.5-30.7) | 30.3±0.2 (30.1-30.5) | 18.5-30.0 |
| pH | 7.30±0.3 (7.0-7.6) | 7.45±0.1 (7.35-7.55) | 7.55±0.5 (7.50-7.60) | 6.5-8.5 |
| D.O. mg/L | 4.7±0.2 (4.5-4.9) | 4.0±0.1 (3.9-4.1) | 4.1±0.1 (4.0-4.2) | 4.0-9.0 |
| Alkalinity mg/L | 160±5.0 (155-165) | 170±5.0 (165-175) | 159±1.0 (158-160) | 100-200 |
| Ammonia mg/L | 0.38±0.1 (0.37-0.39) | 0.44±0.2 (0.42.0.46) | 0.50±0.2 (0.48-0.52) | 0. 5- 1.0 |
| Nitrite mg/L | 0.169±0.01 (0.168-0.170) | 0.172±0.2 (0.170-0.174) | 0.170±0.2 (0.168-0.172) | 0.1-0.2 |
Water quality parameters were taken into consideration like power of hydrogen ion concentration (pH), temperature (°C), conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonia were recorded on monthly basis throughout the study period (Table II). The values of temperature (28.1-30.7), pH (7.0-7.60), DO (3.9-4.9), alkalinity (155-175) ammonia (0.37-0.52) and nitrate (0.168-0.174). It was observed from values of above parameters were found to be within the ranges of fish culture operations.
Discussion
The impact of density on survival and growth rate of catfish Rita rita under different densities like 10, 20 and 30 fish/cistern, results of the experiment showed highest survival, specific growth rate and growth in 20 fish/cistern. No competition for food and space observed at low density culture of this fish. Number of researchers have indicated that this may be due to less competition, environmental conditions, and more space for movement at low density in relation to high density ; ; ; ; . Survival rate in aquatic animals negatively correlated with stocking. It could be due to high competition and space for the fishes. Darmawan and Suharyanto (2017) observed that Pangasius larnandi attained an average weight of 0.45 kg on the termination of one year and 1.0 kg in two years when stocked 25fish/m3 while P. sutchi attained 4.0 kg in two years. de Assis Lago et al. (2014) commented that less density gave more survival and growth in Brycon orthotaenia. Begum et al. (2008) were of the view that low density resulted high growth and survival of Mystus gulio. Alla et al. (2016) observed high survival rate with rise in density of catfish, Heterobranchus bidorsalis. Hossain et al. (1998) reported stocking density of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings and resulted as highest growth at low density the rate of survival also found to be density affected. Narejo et al. (2005) worked on density of Heteropneustus fossilis have applied three stocking densities 8, 16 and 24 fishes/m3and found significantly (P<0.05) highest growth at low density. Variation among the survival rates of R. rita ranged between 100 and 80%. Gree (2011) observed that the channel catfish could be raised at low density and effective water quality. Besides that several researchers , 2005; ; ; have shown that low growth resulted with high density and high growth at low stocking density and lowest growth rate with high stocking density which conforms to the present findings.
The temperature of water in the present study varied from 26.8-30.6 which was influenced by the variation in temperature during morning and evening. The various authors (Kadiri, 2002; ; ; have given the temperature values and ranges that are similar to the present study. Range of DO in current study was 4.0-4.8. Dastagir et al. (2014) also supports the present findings. Boyd and Tucker (1998) describes the content of oxygen in the ponds, stream and lakes is mainly due to various reasons such as temperature, movement in water, pollution and supply of fresh water. In the present study the pH ranged between 7.30-7.55. Chnadrashekhar et al. (2003); Dastagir et al. (2014) and Rahim et al. (2017) reported pH values for fish culture operations ranged between 6. 5- 8.5. The above mentioned ranges are in agreement with the present findings.
Statement of conflict of interest
Authors have declared no conflict of interest.
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