Production of Hybrid Red Tilapia,<i>Oreochromis mossambicus</i>×<i>O. niloticus</i>, at Varying Stocking Densities in Portable Canvas Tanks

Abstract

Abstract The influence of stocking density on the growth, feed utilization and population characteristics of red hybrid tilapia (Oreo-chromis mossambicus×O. niloticus) raised in portable canvas tanks was investigated. Duplicate groups of hybrid red tilapia were stocked into ten canvas tanks each sized 3.05 m ×0.92 m ×1.22 m with a water depth of 0.45 m at a rate of 79, 119, 159, 198 and 328 fish/m3. The fish were maintained on a commercial diet containing 34% crude protein and 4% crude lipid and fed twice daily for 24 weeks. The stocking rate of 79 fish/m3 resulted in the highest specific growth rate (SGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) but was not significantly different from stocking rates of 119 and 159 fish/m3. However, feed conversion ratio (FCR), condition factor (CF), and survival did not differ significantly (P> 0.05) among all stocking densities. Based on these findings, a maximum stocking rate of 159 fish/m3 is recommended for culture of tilapia with this raceway system. Key Words: Tilapiacanvas tanksstocking density