Effects of Stocking Density on Growth of Tilapia nilotica Cultured in Cages in Ponds |
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| Authors: | Antonio E Carro-Anzalotta Andrew S McGinty |
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| Institution: | Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. Puerto Rico 00708 USA |
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| Abstract: | Reported maximum carrying capacities of Tilapia nilotica reared in cages are Iow ranging from 10 to 70 kg/m3. This may be related to total numbers of caged fish reared in a body of water and not simply density per cage volume. An experiment was conducted to demonstrate such effects.
Sixteen cages in a 0.77 ha pond were stocked with T. nilotica at either 250, 500, 750, or 1,000 fish/cage for a total of 12,987 fish/ha. One cage in each of four 0.13 ha ponds was stocked with either 250 or 1,000 fish/cage for a total of 1,923 or 7,692 fish/hectare, respectively. Fish were fed a 32% protein diet at equal rates for 169 days. In the 0.77 ha pond, yield per cage was positively correlated with stocking density, while individual mean weights were negatively correlated with stocking density. However, among equal densities per cage between ponds, fish in the 0.13 ha ponds gained about 26% more than in the 0.77 ha pond. An interaction of the effects of density per cage volume and per pond area may have occurred. |
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