Influence of stocking density on growth performance and welfare of juvenile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) in cages

Abstract

Intensification of tilapia production can cause negative implications on performance and welfare of fishes. Thus, it is essential to determine a correct density for optimal production. This study aimed to evaluate performance and animal welfare of juvenile Nile tilapia with an initial weight average of 30g (± 2.70) reared using three different stocking densities in floating net-cages. Fish were fed three times a day with feed containing 32% crude protein during 74 days. The experimental design was completely randomized with 3 treatments (250 fish/m³, 350 fish/m³ and 450 fish/m³) and 4 replicas. The physicalchemical parameters of water were monitored throughout the experiment. Increase in stocking density caused a decrease in the final weight of fish, weight gain, daily weight gain, standard length and survival, as well as an increase in feed conversion. However, higher densities seem to reduce the effect on weight variation. There was no influence of stocking density on final biomass, blood glucose and serum cortisol concentrations. Therefore, the increase of stocking density compromised development and survival of fish, but did not influence the physiological parameters of stress. Thus, treatment with 250 fish/m³ was shown to be the most suitable for fish performance.

Plant protein-based diets can replace a fish meal-based diet for sustainable growth and body composition of zebrafish

“…The study agrees with the findings of Vargesson[90] on zebrafish, Oppedal, Vågseth[91] on Salmon salar, Alhassan, Abarike[92] and Costa, Roubach[93] on Oreochromis niloticus, who reported that stocking densities influenced the growth and performances of fish. The study revealed that diet and stocking density played a vital role in the specific growth performance of zebrafish.…”

Growth performance of Jayanti rohu with three species combination viz., Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala at different stocking densities

“…(2008) [7] . Lower stocking density resulted in the highest survival rate when compared to higher densities (Costa et al 2017) [8] . While Narejo et al (2010) [26] reported that survival was found to be negatively influenced by stocking densities.…”

Effect of stocking density of juvenile Arapaima gigas on rearing water quality hematological and biochemical profile, and productive performance

“…In general, in all species of animal for production, including fish, a high stocking density is associated with a decrease in growth, weight gain, and feed conversion rate (Tong et al 2012, Ardiansyah & Fotedar 2016, Fu et al 2016, Costa et al 2017, Reafey et al 2018, Long et al 2019. However, in this study, A. gigas showed a different pattern, weight gain, feed conversion rate, absolute growth rate, specific growth rate, feed conversion rate, biomass gain, and relative growth rate did not change under the effect of increasing stocking density.…”

“…Stocking density is, after feeding and nutrition, the most influential factor on the performance of most aquaculture species (Andrade et al 2015, Millán-Cubillo et al 2016, Arifin et al 2017, Shajib et al 2017, Long et al 2019, Lorenzen & Camp 2019. It determines, first of all, the quality of the rearing environment, and second, influence the comfort of the animals in their feeding, movement, resting (MacIntyre et al 2008, Person-Le Ruyet et al 2008, Tsuzuki et al 2008, Pinho et al 2016, Costa et al 2017 and thus the importance of studying in aquaculture.…”