Effect of stocking density on growth and survival of Vietnamese Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus) in cage condition

Original Article

Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture and Life Science Faculty of Agriculture, University of Rajshahi Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

Vol. 01(1): 71-74, 2020

www.ru.ac.bd/agriculture/journal

Effect of stocking density on growth and survival of Vietnamese Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus) in

cage condition

Sadicunnar Shikha

¹

, Md. Delwer Hossain*

²

, Dil Afroza Khanom

²

, Md. Rezoanul Haque

³

1Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

2Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

3Department of Fisheries Management, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article History

Received: March 10, 2020 Accepted: May 20, 2010 Online: October 25, 2020

Keywords

Stocking density Anabas testudineus Cage

A study was conducted at University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh to investigate the effects of stocking density of Vietnamese climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) to improve its growth in cage. Three stocking densities (initial weight, 1.16±0.15 g) were tested: with 60, 70 and 80 fish per cubic meter were chosen as treatment T1, T2, T3 each having three replications. Water quality parameters like temperature, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and ammonia were monitored to assess environmental conditions. Growth was evaluated by using specific growth rate, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and cost benefit ration. These parameters were obtained from fortnightly measurements of body weight (gm) and total length (cm). During the experimental period, all the water quality parameters were within suitable range and no significant difference were found between the treatments. Ranges for mean final weight (gm), final length (cm), specific growth rate (% body weight/day), survival rate (%), yield (kg/m³/120days), average daily weight gain (gm/day) and feed conversion ratio were 90.40-128.83, 16.26-17.33, 5.66-6.03, 80-83.33, 5.05-7.22, 0.75-1.07 and 1.74-2.18 respectively. Fish stocked at low stocking density for T1 (60 fish/m³) showed better performance than the fish stocked at higher stocking density for T2 (70 fish/m³)) and T3 (80 fish/m³). Low stocking density is optimal for increased production of Vietnamese climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) in cage.

© 2020 Faculty of Agriculture, RU. All rights reserved.

Introduction

Vietnamese climbing perch (Anabas testudineus, Bloch) is a well-known member of the Anabantoidae family which derived their name for bearing labyrinth like accessory-breathing organ.

This fish species, indigenous to South and Southeast Asia including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Srilanka, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and China, was first introduced in Bangladesh in 2012. Climbing perch, is very hardy in nature, can thrive well in low dissolved oxygen and also aestivate during the dry season (Rahman and Monir, 2013). It also has medicinal properties such as disease prevention;

and slowing down the ageing process for females (Saha, 1971; Kohinoor et al.,1991; Patowary et al.,

*Address of correspondence Department of Fisheries

University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.

E-mail: delwer.ru@gmail.com (Md. Delwer Hossain) xxxx-xxxx; © 2020 Faculty of Agriculture, RU. All rights reserved.

72 Stocking density on growth of Anabas testudineus

2012). The breeding technology of native koi (A.

testudineus) had been performed by Kohinoor et al., 1991. Thai koi which was introduced from Thailand in 2002, grows faster than native koi, but is less accepted by consumers due to its body colour and lack of taste in comparison to native koi (Ahmed et al., 2015). To improve this situation, another variety of koi known as Vietnamese koi (A. testudineus) was introduced from Vietnam in 2013 by Sarnolata AgroFisheries Ltd. This variety grows faster and gives higher production. A recent report reveals that within 4 months’ culture period Vietnamese koi grows as big as 250-300g with a good FCR and similar body color as native koi (Sarnolata Agro Fisheries Ltd; 2013). Present study was under taken to observe the growth performance of Vietnamese koi (A. testudineus) under different stocking density in cage culture system.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted for a period of four months from July, 2019 to October, 2019 in experimental cages at University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. The cages (1m x 1m x 1 m) made of stretched knotless, moderately durable, lightweight high-density polyethylene netting of 0.5mm mesh size were set in a pond. The cages were stocked with Vietnamese climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) collected from a private hatchery at Mymensingh having an average body weight and length of 1.06-1.16gm and 1.96 cm respectively. There were three treatments viz. T1 (60 fish/m³), T2 (70 fish/m³), and T3(80 fish/m³), each with three replications. A commercial floating pellet feed (ACI, Dhaka, Bangladesh) with 28% crude protein was used for the experiment.

The fish were initially fed at a rate of 10% and gradually reduced to 5% of their body weight. Fish were fed twice a day at 9 am and at 5pm hour with 50% of the ration allocated at each time. The cage nets and feeding trays were cleaned once in a week.

Data collection and Analysis Water Quality Parameters

The water quality parameters were measured at the pond side twice a month in the morning in between 10–11 a.m. Water temperature was measured by the help of a Celsius thermometer at 15 to 25 cm depth; transparency by a secchi disc

of 30 cm diameter. Dissolved oxygen (mg/l), Free CO2 (mg/l), pH and total alkalinity (mg/l) were determined with the help of HACH kit (FF2).

Fish Growth Parameters

To estimate the growth of fish, 10 fishes from each cage were randomly sampled on a monthly basis by partially lifting the cage and removing fish with a dip net. Individual body weight (gm) and total length (cm) were measured using electric balance and measuring board. After measuring, the fishes were released back immediately into their respective cages. Growth parameters were measured using following formulae:

Weight gain (g) = Mean final weight (g) - Mean initial weight (g)

Length Gain (cm) = Average final length – Average initial length

Specific Growth Rate (% per Day)

(Brown, 1957)

Survival rate (%) x100

Average daily gain (ADG)

Food conversion ratio (FCR)

Data of water quality, growth and economics were analyzed statistically by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post-hoc (Duncan Multiple Range Test) for multiple comparison of means (p<0.05 level of significance) among the treatments using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science, version-20.0).

Results

Water quality parameters

The results of water quality parameters are shown in table 1. All the parameters were within the suitable ranges for fish culture in all treatments.

Shikha et al. / Bangladesh J Agric Life Sci 1(2020) 71-74 73

Fish growth performance

The growth indices, survival rate and yield in different treatments during the experimental period are summarized in table 2. Values are shown as Mean ± SD of three replicated cages of each sampling date. Stocking density (Treatments) indicated significant effects (P<0.05) on all growth parameters (Weight gain, Percent weight gain, Specific growth rate) which were higher in cages with lower stocking density (60 fish/m³) than with higher stocking density (80fish/m³). Survival rate did not differ significantly among treatments.

Discussion

Water quality parameter

The results of the water quality parameters were within the acceptable range of fish culture throughout the experimental period. The mean values of water quality parameters were varied as:

temperature 30.67±0.21 to 30.82±0.08°C; pH 7.73±0.17 to 7.80±0.07; Transparency 30.83±1.23 to 31.41±0.38 cm; dissolved oxygen 5.04±0.06 to 5.15±0.05 mg/L, free CO24.25±0.04 to 4.33±0.12 mg/L; alkalinity 68.91±5.05 to 72.33±2.74 mg/L.

and NH3-N 0.12±0.01 to 0.14±0.03 mg/L. All these values did not differ significantly among the

treatments and were within the acceptable limits in pond water for fish culture as stated by Boyd (1992). Similar findings of temperature, pH, transparency and dissolve oxygen also reported byAsadujjamanet.al., (2016) in azolla based carp ploy culture; Rahman and Monir (2013) in Thai Anabas testudineus fingerling nursing; Hossain et al., (2013) in Silver carp and Bata fingerling nursing; Hossain et al., (2014) in Silver carp, Mirror carp and Rohu fingerling nursing; Hasan et al., (2010) in GIFT (Oreochromis niloticus) nursing.

During the study alkalinity were in between 68.91±1.28(mg/L) to 72.33±2.74(mg/L). Boyd

(1990) mentioned that acceptable total alkalinity range should be within 40 to 200 mg/L. For fish culture pond, total alkalinity of 20 to 150 mg/L allows suitable quantities of carbon dioxide for plankton production as stated by Boyd and Lichtkoppler (1979). Santhosh and Singh (2007) also mentioned 50-300 mg/L as ideal value for fish culture. So, alkalinity range was suitable for fish culture, though it was lower as reported 104.67-112.17 by Alam et al., 2014; 155.67-157.42 mg/L by Hossain et al., (2014); and 145.93 - 157.50 by Rahman and Monir (2013). Free carbon dioxide was found 4.25-4.33 mg/L throughout the experimental period which was supported by Table 1. Water quality parameters (Means ± SD) during the experimental period

Parameter Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3 F value P value

Water temperature (°C) 30.82±0.08^a 30.76±0.44^a 30.67±0.21^a 0.20 0.81

pH 7.75±0.03^a 7.80±0.07^a 7.73±0.17^a 0.62 0.56

Transparency (cm) 31.08±0.72^a 31.41±0.38^a 30.83±1.23^a 0.35 0.71

DO (mg/l) 5.15±0.05^a 5.10±0.12^a 5.04±0.06^a 1.37 0.32

Free CO2 (mg/l) 4.33±0.12^a 4.29±0.03^a 4.25±0.04^a 0.41 0.68 Alkalinity (mg/l) 68.91±1.28^a 72.33±2.74^a 72.16±0.14^a 3.63 0.09 Figure in a row bearing common letter (s) do not differ significantly (p<0.05)

Table 2: Growth parameters (Mean ± SD) of Vietnamese climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) during the experimental period.

Parameter Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3 P value Significant difference Initial weight (g) 1.16±0.15^a 1.10±0.15^a 1.15±0.15^a .209 No

Final weight (g) 130.00±5.00^a 110.66±13.57^b 91.00±3.60^c .004 Yes Weight gain (g) 128.83±4.85^a 109.73±13.58^b 90.40±3.63^c .005 Yes Initial length (cm) 3.93±0.11^a 3.90±0.23^a 3.95±0.05^a .233 No Final length(cm) 17.33±0.49^a 16.90±0.26^ab 16.26±0.05^b .019 Yes Length gain (cm) 14.30±0.00^a 13.40±0.43^b 13.36±0.20^b .010 Yes

SGR (%) 6.03±0.21^a 5.72±0.16^b 5.66±0.11^b .048 Yes

Survival rate (%) 83.33±3.33^a 82.50±2.16^a 80.00±1.42^a .293 No Yield (kg/m³/120 days) 7.22±0.88^a 6.42±0.01^a 5.05±0.19^b .006 Yes ADG (g/day) 1.07±0.04^a 0.91±0.11^b 0.75±0.03^c .005 Yes

FCR 1.74±0.04^b 1.82±0.02^b 2.18±0.07^a .000 Yes

Figure in a row bearing common letter (s) do not differ significantly (p<0.05)

74 Stocking density on growth of Anabas testudineus

Santhosh and Singh (2007) who stated that free carbon dioxide less than 5 mg/L in water allows good fish production.

Fish Growth Performance (mean variation)

In intensive aquaculture, stocking density governs the economic viability of production system. Stocking density depends on the volume of water or surface area per fish. Increase in stocking density results in increasing stress, which leads to higher energy requirements, causing a reduction in growth rate and food utilization. It is directly related with the competition for food and space (Rahman et al., 2008, 2010; Rahman & Verdegem 2010; Zannat et al., 2012). Generally, fish needs to compete less for food and space in lower stocking density than the higher stocking density. In the present study, the mean values of growth parameters between treatments varied as: final weight 91.00±3.60 to 130.00±5.00gm; final length 16.26±0.05to 17.33±0.49cm; SGR (%) 5.66±0.11 to 6.03±0.21;

Survival rate (%) 80.00±1.42 to 83.33±3.33; Yield (kg/m³/120days) 5.05±0.19 to 7.22±0.88; and FCR 1.74±0.04 to 2.18±0.07. Survival rate of present study was higher than 49-65% as reported by Rahman and Monir; (2013) but lower than 92-96%

by Jannat et.al., (2012) where stocking density was only 8-14fish/ m². SGR was recorded 6.54 to 6.73 by Karim et. al., 2007; 4.73±0.01 by Rahman and Monir (2013); which is more or less similar to the present findings. The present study reveals that fish stocked at lower density (60fish/m³) showed better performance in terms of weight gain, length gain, Yield and FCR than fish stocked at higher density (80fish/m³). Therefore, from the results of this study, it can be concluded that for higher growth a total stocking density of 60fish/m³ in cage may be recommended.

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How to cite this article: Sadicunnar Shikha, Md. Delwer Hossain, Dil Afroza Khanom, Md. Rezoanul Haque (2020). Effect of stocking density on growth and survival of Vietnamese Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus) in cage condition. Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture and Life Science 1(1): 71-74.