Economies of scale for juvenile production of common snook (Centropomus undecimalis Bloch)

Abstract

Construction and operating costs for three common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) hatcheries in Florida, USA, are illustrated. Hypothetical capacities and targets of the three hatcheries (Scenarios I, II and III respectively) were 615, 000 juveniles (8 ‐ 10 g in weight) for stock enhancement, and 1, 275, 000 and 3, 000, 000 juveniles (1‐g in weight) for commercial grow‐out. Estimated production costs were lower than for many marine finfish species. The 20‐year mean costs per 1, 000 juveniles were estimated to be $324, $215, and $159, for hatcheries I, II, and III respectively, and the initial capital investments were $731, 660, $1, 162, 460, and $1, 896, 030¹, respectively. Major cost items of annual production were labor (22 ‐ 33%), supplies (14 ‐ 20%), fixed costs (15 ‐ 17%), and interest (13 ‐ 15%). The most profitable hatchery was the 3 million 1‐g juvenile hatchery due to the hatchery size effect, with a net present value (NPV) of $1, 760, 000, an internal rate of return (ERR) of 81%, a payback period of 3.6 years, and a profitability index of $2.86 for every dollar invested. Possible cost reductions to increase financial profitability were discussed.     

Influence of temperature on yolk resorption in common snook Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792) larvae

To determine the optimal rearing temperature for Centropomus undecimalis larvae during the yolk resorption period, changes in larval development were measured at four different temperatures (23, 25, 28 and 31°C). Yolk and oil‐globule volume was recorded for 25 larvae at four different times. This involved an initial measurement at hatch and at 24, 48 and 72 h posthatch (hph). Additional morphological measurements included standard length, body height and eye diameter. On average, at the end of the three trials, larvae reared at 25°C had a longer mean standard length than larvae reared at 23, 28 and 31°C. Larvae reared at 25°C also had more yolk and oil globule reserves than larvae raised at 28 and 31°C. The body height:length residuals were also the highest at 25°C (i.e. larvae had deeper or stockier bodies). The yolk sac was present up to 72 hph at 23 and 25°C, while it was entirely consumed after 48 hph in larvae held at 28 and 31°C. Larvae showed the fastest growth during the first 24 hph in all temperature treatments; this period corresponded to the highest energy consumption as determined by the decrease in yolk sac and oil‐globule volume. Eye diameter did not vary significantly with time during yolk‐resorption. We conclude that a temperature near 25°C is optimal for raising snook larvae during the yolk‐resorption period.     

Transport and cryopreservation of sperm of the common snook, Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch)

Sperm were collected in Florida from wild common snook, Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch), and were shipped to Louisiana State University for analysis and cryopreservation. Threshold activation of sperm (10% motility) occurred at 370 mOsmol kg^?1, and complete activation occurred at 680 mOsmol kg^?1. These values were significantly different. Sperm samples stored at 1°C in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) or in 0.6% NaCl solution at 200 mOsmol kg^?1 retained motility for as long as 22 days. Mean motility remained above 50% for 9 days for sperm stored in HBSS and for 7 days for sperm stored in NaCl solution. Sperm exposed to 5% dimethyl acetamide (62±10%; mean±SD), 10% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) (39±16%), 5% glycerol (26±5%) or 10% glycerol (6±2%) for 30 min had significantly lower motility than did unexposed sperm (89±9%). When used as a cryoprotectant, samples frozen with 5% or 10% DMSO or 5% methanol had significantly higher post‐thaw motility than did samples frozen with other cryoprotectants. Sperm cryopreserved with 10% DMSO (38±12%) had significantly higher post‐thaw motility than did sperm cryopreserved with 15% DMSO (19±10%) or 20% DMSO (4±4%). There were no significant differences in hatch rates of eggs fertilized with fresh sperm (54±29%) or cryopreserved sperm (41±35%). Survival to first feeding was not different between fish produced with fresh sperm (37±30%; range, 0–86%) or with thawed sperm (24±29%; 0–77%). Transport of sperm to a cryopreservation laboratory and back to a hatchery for thawing and use enabled collaboration between groups with specific expertise and provides a model for the application of cryopreservation by transport of fresh and frozen samples.     

Mortality,hematology, and histopathology of common snook Centropomus undecimalis (Perciformes: Centropomidae) exposed to acute toxicity of ammonia

This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of common snook Centropomus undecimalis larvae and juveniles exposed to acute concentrations of un-ionized ammonia for 96 h at 35g L^?1 salinity, after 24 h starvation. For that, 10 larvae (20.85 ± 1.46 mm) of 47 days post hatch (DPH) per experimental unit (1.5 L) were exposed to 0.00 ± 0.00, 0.65 ± 0.04, 1.29 ± 0.09, 2.59 ± 0.18, 3.88 ± 0.27, 5.17 ± 0.34, and 6.47 ± 0.43 mg L^?1 NH₃, in triplicates, at 26.72 ± 0.08°C, dissolved oxygen at 5.72 ± 0.10 mg L^?1 and pH 8.45 ± 0.06. During this period, no mortalities were observed. Another trial was performed with five juveniles (20.35 ± 6.10 g, 13.90 ± 1.75 cm) per experimental unit (60 L) exposed to 0.00 ± 0.00, 2.26 ± 0.07, 2.68 ± 0.11, 3.20 ± 0.13, 3.68 ± 0.17, and 4.27 ± 0.16 mg L^?1 NH₃, in triplicates, at 21.90 ± 0.76°C, dissolved oxygen at 6.27 ± 0.21 mg L^?1 and pH at 8.38 ± 0.04. Fish mortality increased as ammonia concentrations increased at each day, and LC₅₀ 96 h was 3.52 mg L^?1 NH₃. Larvae were less sensitive than juveniles, demonstrating that the environmental toxicity of ammonia to common snook is influenced by age. Sublethal exposition to ammonia caused histological damages in gills of common snook juveniles and variation on glucose levels, hematocrit, and red blood cells number, showing negative effects on fish homeostasis. Moreover, compared to other species, the common snook has great resistance to ammonia.     

海水养殖对近岸生态环境的影响

文章研究了从硝化菌群中分离的菌株NB5在不同培养条件下的生长情况及其对氨氮 (NH₄ ⁺-N) 和亚硝氮 (NO₂ ⁻-N) 的去除效果,并对菌株NB5进行了鉴定。结果发现,菌株NB5在盐度25~45、pH 6.0~9.0、15~35 ℃和通气量1~2 L·min⁻¹的条件下生长良好 (P>0.05)。在盐度45、35和25条件下对NH₄ ⁺-N的最大去除率分别为96.24%、88.93%和75.08%;pH 7.5和9.0条件下分别为99.53%和99.37%;温度30、25、15和35 ℃条件下分别为99.53%、97.22%、97.29%和71.26%;通气量为2和1 L·min⁻¹时分别为99.87%和99.82%。在上述培养条件下菌株NB5对NH₄ ⁺-N的最大去除率均显著高于对照组和其他条件组 (P<0.05)。菌株NB5在不同培养条件下对NO₂ ⁻-N浓度变化无显著作用 (P>0.05)。经16S rDNA序列分析,菌株NB5鉴定为海水硝酸盐还原菌 (Nitratireductor aquimarinus)。研究表明,菌株NB5具有较好的环境适应性和氨氮去除效果,尤其适合中高盐度 (25~45) 养殖池塘环境。

     

Growth,survival and feed efficiency for post-metamorphosed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) reared at different temperatures

Two growth trials were completed on post-metamorphosed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) for a period of four weeks to determine the optimal temperature for best growth and feed efficiency. The same experiment was repeated twice under similar conditions to determine the effect of four temperature regimes (10, 12, 14 and 16 °C) on randomly selected juvenile cod with an initial weight ranging from 0.34 to 0.51 g. Post-metamorphosed cod grown at 14 and 16 °C were significantly larger at the end of the experiments than the fish grown at 10 or 12 °C, with specific growth rates following a similar trend (p < 0.05). Fish held at 16 °C utilized feed less efficiently than those held at the lower temperatures in experiment II and the highest feed efficiency was observed in fish held at 10 °C (p < 0.05). The results of the feed efficiency and the maximum growth per degree (dG / dT_max) in experiment II suggest that the feed efficiency was likely maximized at a lower temperature than those used in this study. By using data collected from sub-samples of fish in experiment II, maximum growth (G_max) was estimated at 14.5 °C using a growth temperature model. Cannibalism was a problem in the first experiment but was greatly reduced in experiment II by feeding a larger size feed pellet (2 mm).     

Effects of dietary protein level on spawning performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock reared at different water salinities

Effects of dietary protein level and water salinity on spawning performance of Nile tilapia broodstock and growth of their larvae were studied. Four isocaloric (400 kcal/100 g) diets containing 25%, 30%, 35% and 40% crude protein were prepared. The diets were fed to broodfish (25.7 g) reared at three water salinities (0‰, 7‰ and 14‰) at a female/male ratio of 3:1, to satiation twice a day for 195 days. The size at first maturation increased with increasing dietary protein at all salinities. At 25% and 30% protein levels, broodstock reared at 0‰ reached their sexual maturity at bigger sizes than those reared at 7‰ and 14‰. At 0‰, spawning intervals were not significantly affected by dietary protein levels. At 7‰ and 14‰, spawning intervals significantly decreased with increasing dietary protein level. Spawning frequency and number of eggs per spawn were increased with increasing dietary protein level. The total number of spawnings per female and absolute fecundity were better in fish fed 40% protein in freshwater than at 7‰ and 14‰ salinity. The relationship of dietary protein and water salinity on egg size was significant, but showed irregular patterns. The chemical composition of broodstock muscles, eggs and fry were not significantly affected by dietary protein and water salinity, except for body water and crude protein of broodstock which were significantly affected; but showed irregular trends. At each water salinity, egg hatchability was linearly increased with increasing dietary protein level. Eggs produced from broodstock fed 25% protein at 7‰ and 14‰ needed more time for hatching and yolk-sac absorption and resulted in poorer larval weight than those reared in freshwater. Fry growth was improved with increasing protein level at all salinities. This result revealed that 40% dietary protein is required for optimum spawning performance of Nile tilapia reared at 0‰, 7‰ and 14‰ salinity. It also indicated that spawning performance and larval growth were better in freshwater than at 7‰ and 14‰.     

Correlation between dietary lipid:protein ratios and plasma growth and thyroid hormone levels in juvenile Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus)

Sexually immature Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus), were fed one of five isoenergetic practical diets of differing lipid:protein ratios (0.98, 0.67, 0.41, 0.26, 0.19) for an 84‐day period to examine the influence of diet composition on growth, and growth hormone (GH) and thyroid hormone physiology. All five diets supported growth at approximately the same rate, but the diet with a lipid:protein ratio of 0.98 had the lowest weight gain and highest food conversion ratios. A GH enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), developed for use with oncorhynchid fishes, was validated for use with Arctic charr. Plasma GH concentrations were significantly higher in fish fed the diet with a lipid:protein ratio of 0.98, and there were significant direct and inverse correlations between plasma GH levels and dietary lipid and protein content respectively. There were no significant differences in pre‐ and post‐prandial plasma GH concentrations for any group. There were significant post‐prandial elevations of plasma triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄) for fish fed the lower lipid:protein ratio diets, but there were no differences related to the diets. The results are discussed in terms of GH as a factor in the regulation of lipid and protein homeostasis in fishes.     

Abnormalities in the juvenile stage of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) reared at different temperatures: types, prevalence and effect on growth

Osteological malformations are always considered an important problem in intensive aquaculture. This work studies the effect of rearing temperature on malformations in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. To this end, two batches of the species were subjected to the following incubation/cultivation temperatures: 15 °C/natural and 19/19 °C, from fertilization until 190 days after hatching. The different malformations were studied in 1643 juveniles at 190 days and classified by categories. The Chi-square statistic was calculated to verify the relationship between the presence of anomalies and the application of different temperatures. The percentage of anomalies observed in individuals reared at a high temperature (19/19 °C) was 66.44%. In both temperature systems, opercular malformations were those which caused a greater delay in growth. The results found indicated that temperature played a very important role in the development of deformations, which may be of interest from the viewpoint of aquaculture.     

池塘工程化循环水养殖模式下养殖密度对大口黑鲈生长性能和生理指标的影响

为研究池塘工程化循环水养殖模式下养殖密度对大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)生长性能、血清生化指标的影响,设置15 000和25 000尾/槽2个养殖密度,经过120 d的养殖实验。结果显示:养殖密度对大口黑鲈生长性能、血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、碱性磷酸酶、皮质醇和溶菌酶含量无显著影响;高养殖密度组血清总蛋白、胆固醇、甘油三酯和葡萄糖含量显著低于低养殖密度组。在低、高密度养殖条件下,体重与体长之间呈幂函数关系,生长方程分别为y=0.031 6x~(2.903 8)(R~2=0.980 1)和y=0.032 1x~(2.898 5)(R~2=0.982 4)。结果表明,池塘工程化循环水养殖模式下,高密度养殖而不影响大口黑鲈生长。     

Abnormalities in the juvenile stage of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) reared at different temperatures: types, prevalence and effect on growth

Osteological malformations are always considered an important problem in intensive aquaculture. This work studies the effect of rearing temperature on malformations in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. To this end, two batches of the species were subjected to the following incubation/cultivation temperatures: 15 °C/natural and 19/19 °C, from fertilization until 190 days after hatching. The different malformations were studied in 1643 juveniles at 190 days and classified by categories. The Chi-square statistic was calculated to verify the relationship between the presence of anomalies and the application of different temperatures. The percentage of anomalies observed in individuals reared at a high temperature (19/19 °C) was 66.44%. In both temperature systems, opercular malformations were those which caused a greater delay in growth. The results found indicated that temperature played a very important role in the development of deformations, which may be of interest from the viewpoint of aquaculture.     

Growth rates and survival of western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) at two temperatures (ambient and 23 °C) and two feeding frequencies

Wild caught post-pueruli, year one and year two post settlement juvenile western rock lobster, Panulirus cygnus, were held at ambient temperatures (15.6 °C to 23.1 °C; mean 19.0 ± 0.07 °C) or at 23 °C, and fed the same ration of a formulated pellet diet either once per night, or 3 times per night, over 12 months, to determine whether elevated temperatures and multiple feeds per night would stimulate growth through increased metabolism and feed utilisation without significant negative impacts on survival. Survival of post-pueruli (mean 63%) did not differ between ambient and 23 °C. Survival of year 1 and 2 juveniles was higher at ambient temperatures (p < 0.01 ambient: year 1 juveniles, 68%; year 2 juveniles, 88%; 23 °C: 57% and 74%, respectively). Feeding frequency did not affect survival of post-pueruli and year 2 juveniles (mean 63%, 81% respectively), but survival was 9% higher for year 1 juveniles fed three times per night (58% versus 67%; p < 0.01). All lobsters grew faster at 23 °C than at ambient temperatures (p < 0.05), with the growth of post-pueruli almost doubled at 23 °C (weight gain at 23 °C versus ambient: post-pueruli, 18 438 % versus 9 915 %; year 1 juveniles 259% versus 165%; year 2 juveniles 23% versus 21%). Feed frequency did not influence the growth of year 1 and 2 juveniles. However, there was an interaction effect of temperature and feed frequency on post-pueruli where weight and carapace length were significantly higher at ambient temperatures when post-pueruli were fed three times a day, whereas at 23 °C weight and carapace length were significantly greater when fed once per day (p < 0.05). Feed intake (g pellet dry matter lobster^− 1 day^− 1) of pellet was higher at 23 °C for all lobsters (p < 0.05), but was the same between lobsters fed 3 times per night versus once per night. This study has shown that increasing temperatures to 23 °C significantly improved the growth of P. cygnus post-pueruli without any adverse effects on survival. The faster growth rates exhibited by year 1 and 2 juveniles at 23 °C may potentially offset their lower survival by significantly reducing culture period. There is no benefit of feeding P. cygnus multiple times at night in terms of growth and survival. The implications for P. cygnus culture are that temperatures should be maintained close to 23 °C during the entire growout period, with due care taken to minimise mortalities through adequate provision of food and shelter. Feeding P. cygnus once daily to excess just prior to dusk to co-incide with nocturnal feeding behaviour is recommended.     

Growth, survival and biochemical composition of spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Balss, 1922) (Decapoda: Majidae) larvae reared under different stocking densities, prey:larva ratios and diets

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is overexploited on the NW coast of Spain. Aquaculture of this species can be the solution to the problem, and consequently, several attempts of intensive larval rearing have been conducted. However, most of the studies already published do not provide enough zoo technical data, especially in terms of larval and prey densities or the nutritional quality of diets used for rearing.Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the conditions for intensive larval rearing of M. brachydactyla. Larval stocking density (10, 50 and 100 larvae L^− 1), prey:larva ratio (15, 30 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1) and diet (enriched Artemia, non-enriched Artemia and polychaete supplement) effects on growth and survival of this species were studied. For larval culture nine, 35 L, 150 μm mesh-bottomed PVC cylinders (triplicates for each treatment and larval stage) connected to a recirculation unit, were used. Temperature and salinity were kept constant at 18 °C and 36‰ respectively. A 12 to 18 day trial was conducted for each experiment and samples of larvae were collected at each larval stage (zoea I, zoea II, megalopa) in the inter-molt phase and at first juvenile. Survival, carapace length and width, dry weight (DW), and proximate biochemical content (protein, carbohydrates and total lipid) as well as lipid class composition were determined.Stocking densities of 100 larvae L^− 1 resulted in higher growth in DW and higher content in lipids and protein for zoea I (ZI) and zoea II (ZII) than 10 larvae L^− 1. However, survival decreased with increasing stocking density.The use of 60 preys larva^− 1 produced larvae with significantly higher DW and protein content, especially at ZII stage, than lower prey densities. Survival rate obtained feeding 60 preys larva^− 1 up to the megalopa stage was almost two-fold (42.2%) the rate obtained using 15 preys larva^− 1 (24.8%).Larvae fed on enriched Artemia (EA) showed an increase in weight up to megalopa (518.9 ± 26.5 μg) in contrast to larvae fed on non-enriched prey (A) (467.9 ± 6.9 μg). Variation in DW correlated with the total lipid content (L) of the larvae (L_EA = 70.1 ± 37.5 μg ind^− 1; L_A = 28.9 ± 3.2 μg ind^− 1) especially in terms of neutral lipids. The use of an initial density of at least 50 larvae L^− 1 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1 can be considered the most adequate rearing parameters in order to obtain good results in growth and survival of M. brachydactyla.     

不同脂肪条件下添加牛磺酸对鲤生长性能、体成分、肝胰脏生化指标及抗氧化能力的影响

为探索不同脂肪条件下添加牛磺酸对幼鲤生长性能、体成分、肝胰脏生化指标及抗氧化能力的影响,实验在脂肪水平为4.65%和10.22%（高脂水平）的饲料中分别添加0、400、800和1 600 mg/kg的牛磺酸,配制成8种等氮等能实验饲料。以720尾初始体质量为（1.17±0.01）g的健康幼鲤为实验对象,随机分为8组,每组3个重复,每个重复30尾实验鱼,分别投喂8种实验饲料,养殖时间为56 d。结果发现,未添加牛磺酸时,4.65%脂肪组幼鲤增重率（WGR）、特定生长率（SGR）和蛋白质效率（PER）显著高于10.22%脂肪组,而FCR显著低于10.22%脂肪组。添加牛磺酸后,4.65%和10.22%脂肪组中幼鲤的WGR、SGR和PER均显著提高,FCR显著降低;且随着牛磺酸添加量的提高,幼鲤WGR、SGR和PER均呈先升高后趋于稳定的变化趋势,且均在牛磺酸添加量为800 mg/kg时最大;FCR则均呈先降低后趋于稳定的变化趋势,均在牛磺酸添加量为800 mg/kg时最小;牛磺酸添加量大于800 mg/kg时,10.22%脂肪组幼鲤WGR、SGR和PER显著高4.65%脂肪组,而FCR则显著低于4.65%脂肪组。幼鲤肝胰脏中总胆固醇及甘油三酯均随牛磺酸添加量的升高而呈逐渐降低的变化趋势,但在4.65%脂肪组中差异不明显,而10.22%脂肪组中差异显著,随着牛磺酸添加量的提高,幼鲤的肥满度均呈先增大后趋于稳定的变化趋势,HSI、VSI则均呈先降低后趋于稳定的变化趋势;幼鲤体组织中粗蛋白质含量呈先升高后趋于稳定的变化趋势,粗脂肪含量呈先降低后趋于稳定的变化趋势;幼鲤肝胰脏中SOD、CAT活性均呈先升高后降低的变化趋势,且SOD、CAT活性均在牛磺酸添加量为800 mg/kg时最强;而MDA含量则呈降低的变化趋势,且MDA均在牛磺酸添加量为1 600 mg/kg时最低。研究表明,添加800~1 600 mg/kg牛磺酸可显著提高幼鲤对饲料脂肪的利用率,促进其生长,减少体内的脂肪沉积,改善肌肉品质,提高机体的抗氧化能力。     

不同糖源对达氏鲟幼鱼生长、体成分及生理生化指标的影响

分别以糊精、小麦淀粉、玉米淀粉、α-淀粉(预糊化玉米淀粉)、蔗糖、葡萄糖为糖源,配制6种等氮等能的半纯化饲料,喂养达氏鲟(Acipenser dabryanus)幼鱼(68.05 g±1.63 g)8周,研究饲料中糖源对达氏鲟幼鱼生长性能、体成分及生理生化指标的影响。结果发现糊精、小麦淀粉、玉米淀粉、α-淀粉组实验鱼饲料效率和蛋白质效率显著高于蔗糖和葡萄糖组(P0.05),玉米淀粉组实验鱼增重率、特定生长率和饲料效率最高。不同糖源对达氏鲟肥满度影响不显著(P0.05),而对肝体比和脏体比均影响显著(P0.05)。肝体比和脏体比最高的为葡萄糖组,最低的为小麦淀粉组。小麦淀粉组全鱼、肌肉和肝中粗蛋白含量最高,葡萄糖组全鱼和肌肉的粗蛋白含量最低且均显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。糊精、蔗糖和葡萄糖组全鱼和肌肉粗脂肪显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。α-淀粉组肝糖原显著高于其他各组(P0.05),α-淀粉组和葡萄糖组肌糖原显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。肝和血液中甘油三酯和总胆固醇含量和肌体和血液中糖水平呈正相关。不同糖源对达氏鲟消化道消化酶和肝丙酮酸激酶、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸激酶活性影响显著(P0.05),对肝己糖激酶、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶活性影响不显著(P0.05)。研究结果表明,在饲料中添加玉米淀粉作为糖源更有利于达氏鲟幼鱼生长。     

不同电学参数和流速下的拦鱼电栅对草鱼幼鱼的拦导效率

为了探究不同电学参数的拦鱼电栅在静水条件下对草鱼幼鱼[体长(10.22±2.01)cm、体质量(34.25±3.62)g]趋避行为的影响,实验构建了一种双排式的拦鱼电栅,在静水条件下采用3因素4水平正交实验设计,测试了脉冲电压、脉冲频率、脉冲宽度等脉冲直流电参数对拦鱼效果的影响;为了探究静水下拦鱼效果最佳的拦鱼电栅电学...     

Growth,digestive enzymes activities,serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared at different stocking densities in in‐pond raceway recirculating culture system

The feeding trial was conducted in 80 days to assess the effects of stoking densities on growth, digestive enzymes activities, serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus) reared in in‐pond raceway recirculating culture system (IPRS). Fish (initial body weight: 6.25 ± 0.32g ) were randomly allotted to six in‐pond raceways (22 × 5 × 2.5 m) stocked at three different stocking densities: low stocking density (LSD, 0.28 kg/m³), medium stocking density (MSD, 0.57kg /m³) and high stocking density (HSD, 0.85 kg /m³). The results indicated that no significant differences were observed in final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate of GIFT reared at different stocking densities on day 20 (p > 0.05). Fish reared in the HSD group showed poor growth than those reared in the LSD and MSD groups on day 50, but fish reared in the MSD and HSD groups showed poor growth than those reared in the LSD group on day 80. There were no significant differences found in digestive enzyme activities, serum cortisol, lysozyme and superoxide dismutase (SOD) content, hepatic catalase (CAT), total SOD, total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content among fish reared at different densities treatments (p > 0.05). Fish reared in the HSD group exhibited significant higher red blood cell number, haematocrit and glucose (GLU) contents on day 80 (p < 0.05). In brief, under this trial conditions, high stocking densities (0.57 kg/m³) resulted in decrease in growth, and GIFT might have an adaptation capability to crowding stress without a change in antioxidant activity, some physiological and immune parameters.