Effect of Fish Density During Transportation on Stress and Mortality of Juvenile Tambaqui Colossoma macropomum

The increased demand for juvenile tambaqui Colossoma macropomum for grow-out ponds and stocking programs in the Amazon state of Brazil has increased the transportation of this species. This study was designed to determine the optimum density of juvenile tambaqui during transportation in closed containers. Fish (51.9 ± 3.3 g and 14.9 ± 0.4 cm) were packed in sealed plastic bags and transported for 10 h at four densities: 78, 156, 234, and 312 kg/m³. After transportation, fish from each density were kept in separate 500-L tanks for 96 h. Mortality, 96-h cumulative mortality, water quality, and blood parameters (hematocrit, plasma cortisol, and glucose) were monitored. Fish mortality after transportation was significantly lower at densities of 78 and 156 kg/m³ than at 234 and 312 kg/m³. Cumulative mortality was significantly lower at a density of 78 kg/m³. Dissolved oxygen after 10 h of transportation remained high at a density of 78 kg/m³, but reached critically low values at all other densities. Ammonia concentration was highest at the lowest density and was lower at higher densities. Carbon dioxide concentration was lowest at the density of 78 kg/m³ but higher in the other treatments. Plasma glucose and cortisol increased significantly immediately after transportation at densities of 156, 234, and 312 kg/m³, returning to control values by 24 h. The best density for juvenile tambaqui during a 10-h transportation haul in a closed container was 78 kg/m³. At this density there was no fish mortality, water quality was kept within acceptable values, and fish were not stressed.     

Effect of population density on the growth, feed and protein conversion efficiency and biochemical composition of a tropical freshwater catfish, Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes)

Abstract. Six groups of tropical freshwater catfish, Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes)(mean weight. 20·45 ± l·5g), were reared in 0·34m³ fibreglass tanks at different stocking densities (105, 195, 285, 375, 465 and 555 specimens/m³ water) for 84 days. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of various stocking densities on the growth, nutrition, biochemical composition and survival of M. nemurus. The lowest growth rate appeared in fish at the highest density and the highest was observed in fish stocked in moderate density of 285 and 375 fish/m³ water. Fish production was also lower at relatively low stocking densities of 105 and 195 fish/m³. Food conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and biochemical composition of M. nemurus indicate that there exists an optimum stocking density which lies between 285 and 375 fish/m³.     

Culture of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), at three stocking densities in outdoor concrete tanks using drainage water

Abstract. Effects of stocking density on water quality and on the growth, survival and food conversion of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) were evaluated. Fingerlings of tilapia (average weight 40.25 ± 94 g) were stocked in six 3.75-m³ concrete tanks at 16, 32 and 42.6/m³ and reared for 164 days. A water flow rate of 1 l/min/kg fish biomass was maintained in all the tanks. The growth rate was inversely related to stocking density with mean weights of 337.25g, 327.0g and 323.5g at the low, medium and high densities respectively. At harvest, standing crop biomass averaged 5.36 kg, 10.44kg and 13.24kg for the three densities. The respective food conversion ratios (FCR) were 1.85, 1.88 and 1.95, while the survival rates were 99.2, 99.6 and 95.9%. However, the survival rate, growth rate and food conversion efficiencies were not significantly different at the three stocking densities. Water quality did not deteriorate in different tanks as the oxygen was continuously replenished and metabolites and waste products removed by the water flowing through the tanks. These data suggest that culture of tilapia at a density of 42.6/m³ and production of 13.24 kg/m³ in 164 days with a production of 18–20 kg/m³ in a growing season (April-October) of 210 days is possible using the drainage water in flow-through water systems.     

Survival of stocked hatchery-reared brown trout, Salmo trutta L., fry in relation to the carrying capacity of a trout nursery stream

Abstract. During the period June 1982-84 hatchery-reared brown trout, Salmo trutta L., fry were Stocked into stretches of the Owendoher. a trout nursery stream on the east coast of Ireland. These experiments were designed to examine the survival of stocked fry and to estimate the carrying capacity of the system. During the first year fry were stocked into sectors already supptorting wild fish at densities normal for the system. In the following year fry numbers were artificially reduced prior to stocking with the hatchery-reared fish. Mortality of the stocked fry was high after release with less than 33% of the fish surviving beyond the first 3 weeks. No stocked fish survived after October 1982. In the second year, however, 2-9% of the fish survived. The best survival rates were achieved where wild fry numbers were lowest. Regardless of the initial stocking density the various experiments yielded autumn fry densities (0.07-0.7 fish/m²) similar to those at unstocked sites (0.1-0.62 fish/m²).
Stocking did not increase recruitment to the 1+ group and again 1+ densities (0.15-0.35 fish/m²) similar to unstocked sites (0.07-0.39 fish/m²) were obtained at the end of each year. These results suggest that spawning and recruitment in the Owendoher yield population densities approaching the maximum carrying capacity of the stream. The system appears to support a maximum summer fry density in the region of 1 fish/m² and a maximum autumn density of 0.7 fish/m².     

The Effects of Fry Rearing Density on Hatchery Performance, Fin Condition, and Agonistic Behavior of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Fry

Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fry were reared at four densities ranging from 10,800 to 43,926 fish/m³ (9.91 to 37.60 kg/m³) during an initial feeding period of 35 d. Each of the four initial density treatments were then split into high (3,780 fish/m³) and low (1,890 fish/m³) density groups and reared in outdoor raceways for an additional 74 d. A necropsy-based general health and condition assessment indicated that hematocrit, plasma protein, and the thymus index were significantly elevated in the outdoor high density group. Changes in these variables were unrelated to the initial rearing density, except for plasma protein which decreased as the initial density increased at low densities. Other necropsy variables indicated normal, healthy fish. Agonistic behavior was assessed at 4, 9 and 13 wk of age by observing the number of aggressive chases in paired and group (five fish) trials. The number of chases generally increased with age, although the difference between 9 and 13 wk was variable. Feeding did not elicit more chases in this study except for 9-wk-old fry. Initial rearing density did not have any impact on the number of chases at 4 or 13 wk, but at 9 wk the number of chases increased with initial density for the group tests. Relative fin length measurements of all fins except the adipose indicated no combination of initial density and outdoor density was superior to another for reducing fin erosion. This study indicated that rainbow trout fry may be reared at initial densities approaching 44,000 fish/m³ (Piper density index of 1.1) without negatively affecting growth and fin condition or inducing higher levels of agonistic behavior later on.     

Preliminary study on the production of the tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus (Günther), cultured in seawater cages

Abstract. A preliminary study was conducted to assess the performance of the tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus (Günther), cultured in seawater cages at different stocking densities during the nursing and rearing phases. The stocking densities tested were 200, 400 and 600 fish/m³ during the nursing phase and 100, 200, and 300 fish/m³ during the rearing phase.
In both growth phases, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed among the different stocking densities on the mean individual final weight, daily growth rate, feed conversion ratio and survival rate. Yields in cages stocked with 400 and 600 fish/m³ during the nursing phase, however, were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared with cages stocked with 200 fish/m³. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between 400 and 600 fish/m³. A density of 600/m³ is therefore considered to be optimum for the nursing phase.
Yields of cages during the rearing phase increased significantly (P<0.01) with the increase in stocking density. After grading the fish, however, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed when only fish bigger than 150g were considered. The occurrence of exophthalmia (cataract) was observed in two of the four replicates at the highest stocking density (300 fish/m³) during the rearing stage. Therefore, a stocking density of 200 fish/m³ is considered optimum for the rearing phase.     

Effects of Diffused Aeration and Stocking Density on Growth, Feed Conversion, and Production of Florida Red Tilapia in Cages

The effects of four levels of diffused aeration (0, 6, 12, and 24 hours/day) and two stocking densities (400 and 600 fish/m³) on the culture performance of caged Florida red tilapia were evaluated in 1 m³ cages in a 2 ha watershed pond on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Fish obtained a nutritionally-complete (36% protein), floating feed from demand feeders for 143 to 146 days. Diffused aeration had no significant ( P > 0.05) effect on fish growth, survival, feed conversion, and production in cages. Combined across all levels of diffused aeration, fish stocked at 400/cage had a greater growth rate (2.21 vs. 1.97 g/day), larger final body weight (370 vs. 335 g), and a lower feed conversion ratio (1.69 vs. 1.80) than fish stocked at 600/cage ( P < 0.05). The final biomass of fish stocked at the higher density (181 kg/m³) was greater than at the lower density (140 kg/m³). The enhancement of water exchange rates by diffused aeration did not increase tilapia growth rate or production in cages.     

The Intensive Culture of the Penaeid Shrimp Penaeus vannamei Boone in a Recirculating Raceway System

Recirculating raceway systems were examined for their potential as a method for the intensive culture of the marine shrimp Penaeus vannamei Boone. The systems consisted of fiberglass raceways 38 m³ (13.7 m ± 2.4 m ± 1.16 m) and 28 m³ (13.7 m ± 2.4 m ± 0.85 m) each equipped with a vertical screen biofilter, foam fractionators and an ultraviolet ozone generator. All of the systems were enclosed in a commercial greenhouse. Four preliminary growout experiments and two growout experiments with stocking densities of 970 shrimp/m³ and 2,132 shrimp/m³ were completed.
Temperature, pH and salinity remained constant throughout the experiments. Unionized ammonia levels remained below 0.2 mg/L. Nitrite levels ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/L. The 2,132/m² stocking density resulted in 48% survival, food conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.8 and an average size of 10.8 g. The 970/m³ stocking density resulted in 82% survival, FCR of 2, and an average size of 14 g. Production was 11.4 kg/m³ (114 tons/ha) and 11.0 kg/m³ (110 tons/ha) for the high and low stocking densities, respectively.     

Intensive Culture Potential of Penaeus vannamei

Tank and pond rearing studies were conducted to assess the potential for intensive culture of Penaeus vannamei in South Carolina. Postlarvae were stocked in intensive nursery tanks at 500/ m². Growth and survival were compared for shrimp reared in control fiberglass tanks and in tanks with artificial substrates (fiberglass screen). Addition of substrate improved survival (82% versus 58%), but not growth. Juvenile shrimp (mean weight, 1.3 g) from the nursery trial were stocked into 6 m diameter tanks at densities of 10, 20 and 40/m². Growth rate was inversely related to stocking density, with mean sizes of 33.9, 32.5, and 26.7 g attained at the low, medium, and high densities respectively after 168 days. At harvest, standing crop biomass averaged 225.6, 442.0, and 685.4 g/m² for the three densities. To further test the intensive culture potential, two 0.1 ha ponds were stocked with hatchery-reared postlarvae at densities of approximately 40 and 45/m². The ponds were managed intensively using paddlewheel aerators and water exchange averaging 16–17%/day. The ponds were harvested after 138 and 169 days and yielded 6,010 kg/ha of 16.7 g (mean weight) shrimp and 7,503 kg/ha of 17.9 g shrimp, respectively. Average production was 6,757 kg/ha with a food conversion of 2.51. These data suggest good potential for intensive pond culture of P. vannamei in South Carolina and other areas of the continental United States.     

Effect of rearing density on the early growth and variation in growth of juvenile Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

Abstract. Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), from the same full-sib family were reared under two different densities for 97days at 10°C. In one treatment density was adjusted every 2 weeks by means of a tank enclosure to a density of 50kg/m³. In the other treatment the density was allowed to increase as fish biomass increased to 50kg/m³. Density had no significant effect on the variation observed in individual fish weights over the course of the growth trial. Density had a significant effect on the relationship between fish weight and specific growth rate. The increasing density treatment had an overall higher mean specific growth rate of 0·1%/day.     

Growth of Crawfish Procambarus clarkii as a Function of Density and Food Resources

This study utilized enclosures (cylindrical, 5-mm wire mesh, O.5 m² bottom surface area) placed over rice-forage substrates in experimental crawfish ponds to contain crawfish under typical pond culture conditions. Juvenile Procambarus clarkii were stocked at six densities (2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 crawfish/m²) for 12-wk growth trials in October and again in February. Crawfish relied solely on the detrital food system for their nutritional needs. Supplemental feed was supplied to crawfish in additional enclosures at two of the test densities (2 and 10 crawfish/m²). The commercially formulated feed (25% crude protein) was fed (2.02 g dry feed/m²) 3 d/wk (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). All treatments were replicated with six enclosures. Crawfish growth was inversely correlated to culture density. Mean final weights for crawfish feeding from the detrital-system only were 15.3, 13.8, 11.2, 7.9, 7.2, and 5.8 g for crawfish densities of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, and 18/m², respectively. Mean final weights for crawfish receiving supplemental feed were 20.7 and 12.4 g for densities of 2 and 10 crawfish/m². When compared with density as a factor influencing growth, feed influenced growth less than density abatement. Supplemental feeding improved crawfish growth in detrital systems an average of 46%, while decreasing initial density improved growth an average of 80.5%.     

Bioenergetic modelling of effects of fertilization, stocking density, and spawning on growth of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract. A bioenergetic growth model was developed to examine the integrated effects of fertilization, stocking density, and spawning on the growth of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), in pond aquaculture. The analyses showed that growth rates increase with higher levels of organic fertilization up to 500kg/ha/week. Growth rates increased with added food rations in ponds, reaching a maximum growth of 2-07g/day at about 44–48 days after stocking. Fish growth rates decreased with increased levels of stocking density. The stocking density for optimal growth is 1fish/m²; the optimal density for total harvesting weight and fish size is 2 fish/m². Model sensitivity analysis indicated that tilapia growth is most sensitive to catabolism (metabolism) and anabolism (synthesis) coefficients, both of which are geometrically related to the fish body weight. Food assimilation efficiency (b) and the food consumption coefficient (h) have a modest effect on fish growth. Spawning in grow-out ponds can have a major effect on fish growth.     

Use of night-lights to attract food organisms into tropical marine fish cages

Abstract. A 91-day cage trial was conducted with juvenile seabass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), and grouper, Epinephelus tauvina (Forskal), to ascertain the capacity of kerosene pressure lamps and fluorescent electric lamps as night-lights above the cages to attract pelagic food organisms into the cage and consequently sustain the survival and growth of the cultured fish. The experiment was conducted using 1×1×1·5m floating cages with three different net mesh sizes (1, 13, and 19mm) and four fish stocking densities (seabass—10, 20,30 and 40/m³; grouper —10/m³). A positive growth response and survival was observed with seabass and to a lesser extent with grouper with increasing net mesh size and decreasing fish stocking density. At the lowest tested density of 10 fish/m³ seabass survival increased from 5·0 to 95·0% and total cage fish biomass increased from −95·1% to +56·9% with an increase in net mesh size from 1 to 19mm over the 91-day culture trial, respectively. The results are discussed in relation to the current commercial marine finfish cage farming practices employed in Indonesia.     

Growth and Survival of the Australian Red Claw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus at Three Densities in Earthen Ponds

Australian red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus were cultured in nine 0.02-ha earthen ponds at densities of l/m², 3/m² and 5/m² for 158 d. Average weight at stocking was 3.2 g. All ponds were provided with a combination of hay and corn silage at a rate of 500 kg/ha per month and a commercial crayfish ration fed at 5%, decreasing to 2% of estimated biomass/d during the growing season. Overall survival rate was 72%, and did not differ among treatments. Final yields and average weights varied significantly with stocking density. Red claw averaged 67 g with an average pond yield of 475 kg/ha at l/m². At 3/m² and 5/m², red claw averaged 48 g and 38 g, respectively, and yielded 1,020 kg/ha and 1,422 kg/ha, respectively.     

Effects of Artificial Substrate and Stocking Density on the Nursery Production of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Nursery production may be enhanced by the addition of artificial substrate to increase the surface area upon which shrimp graze and to serve as refuge. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of the artificial substrate, AquaMats^TM, on the performance of postlarval Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei stocked at three densities. Eighteen 230-L tanks were stocked with 10-d postlarvae (mean weight < 0.01 g). Six treatments were evaluated and consisted of shrimp stocked at three densities (778 shrimp/m², 1,167 shrimp/ m², and 1,556 shrimp/m²) with and without access to artificial substrate. Shrimp in all treatments received a commercial diet ad libitum . After 6 wk, shrimp were harvested from each nursery tank, counted, and batch weighed. Mean final weight, survival, production, feed conversion ratio, and water quality parameters were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA. There were highly significant ( P < 0.001) density and substrate effects on final weight, but there was no significant interaction effect. Final weight was 26.0, 17.4, and 34.5% greater in treatments with substrate than without substrate when stocked at 778, 1,167, and 1,556 shrimp/m², respectively. There was no significant density, substrate, or interaction effect on survival or water quality. Mean survival was ± 89.1% for all treatments. Increased shrimp growth in the presence of added substrate was likely due to the availability of attached particulate organic matter on the AquaMats^TM that served as an additional food source. Results from this study indicate that artificial substrate can be used to mitigate the potential negative effects of high stocking density on growth of L. vannamei in nursery systems.     

Overwintering tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus (Günther), fingerlings using warm underground sea water

Abstract.
The study was conducted to develop guidelines for high-density overwintering of tilapia in tanks using warm underground sea water. Seawater-acclimated fish of 20 g were stocked in 36 tanks at 250, 500 and 750/m³. Water flow was regulated at 0.1 and 0.2 l/kg fish/min. Fish were fed at the rates of 0.75% and 1.0% of biomass per day.
After 135 culture days, the mean individual weight gain and specific growth rate decreased, whereas feed conversion increased significantly ( P <0.0001) with the increase in stocking density. The condition factor at 500 and 750 fish/m³ was significantly lower ( P <0.0005) than at 250 fish/m³. However, stocking density had no significant effect on the survival rate. Significantly better specific growth rate, condition factor and feed conversion were observed at a water flow rate of 0.2 l/kg fish/min than at 01 l/kg fish/min. Significantly higher mean individual weight gain, specific growth rate, and survival rate were observed at 1.0%/day than at the 0.75%/day feeding rate. The findings indicate that the optimum stocking density for overwintering tilapia in tanks using warm underground sea water is 750 fish/m³ with a water flow rate of 0.1 l/kg fish/min and a feeding rate of 0.75%/day.     

Effects of Stocking Density and Monosex Culture of Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii on Growth and Production in Concrete Tanks in Saudi Arabia

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of stocking density and monosex culture on growth, survival, yield and feed conversion ratio of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in concrete tanks. Juvenile prawns with an average weight of 1.8 g were stocked into triplicate tanks at densities of 5, 10, 15 and 20 prawns/m², grown for 168 d and fed a 34% tilapia diet. Stocking density had significant effect on prawns. Final mean body weight decreased with the increasing density, being highest at 5 prawns/m² (29.6 9). and lowest at 20 prawns/m² (17.4 g). Total yield increased from 135 g/m² (1,350 kg/ha) at a density of 5 prawns/m² to 261 g/m² (2,610 kg/ha) at density 15/m^z to 245 g/m² (2,450 kg/ha) at 20/m^z. Feed conversion ratios were high and ranged from 3.7 (5 prawns/m²) to 5.6 (20 prawns/m²).
In monosex culture of freshwater prawns stocked in triplicate tanks at a density of 5 prawns/m² for 112 d, the all-male population had the best growth performance and feed conversion ratio, followed by the mixed-sex and all-female populations. The all-male population had 99% marketable prawns (>20 g) with an average yield of 159 g/m² (1,590 kg/ha); the mixed-sex population had 90% marketable prawns and the yield was 135 g/m^z (1,350 kg/ha); and the all-female population had 75% marketable prawns with an average yield of 108 g/m² (1,080 kgha).     

Growth and body composition of juveniles of Pterophyllum scalare (Lichtenstein) (Pisces; Cichlidae) at different densities and diets

Abstract. The effect on the growth of freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare (Lichtenstein) (Pisces; Cichlidae), of different densities of population and diet compositions was studied. The results show that increasing the population density from 50 fish/m² to 200/m² significantly decreased the rate of growth of fingerlings, and that this effect is correlated to the size of fish. No significant differences were observed in growth between diets containing 37%, 41% or 47% protein. However, the addition of live food (artemia) to the diet significantly raised the growth rate, especially in the higher protein diets.
Body composition shows no changes during the growth periods, with a mean of 64·68% body protein, 35·47% dry weight fat and no significant differences in the percentage of residual ash through the growth period.
The food conversion rate was very low, ranging from 1·15 to 1·31. Total production increased with density, from 4·0g/m²/day (50 fish) to 13·7g/m²/day (200 fish) over a period of 60 days.     

Production of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii Stocked at Different Densities in Polyculture Systems in Brazil

Abstract.— The effect of stocking prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii at increasing densities in ponds with Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus reared at low density was evaluated. Twelve 0.01-ha earthen ponds were stocked with 1 tilapia/m² and 0, 2, 4, or 6 postlarvae prawn/m². Three replicates were randomly assigned to each prawn density. Postlarval prawns were stocked a week prior to tilapia juveniles and both were harvested 175 d after the beginning of the experiment. Tilapia final average weight, survival, production, and food conversion rates did not differ significantly among treatments ( P > 0.05); the averages were 531 g, 67%. 3,673 kg/ha, and 1.91, respectively. Prawn survival rates did not differ for the three stocking densities (mean 90%). However, final weight and production were significantly different ( P < 0.05) as follows: 34.0, 23.0, and 14.7 g and 639, 909, and 818 kg/ha, respectively for 2. 4, and 6 prawns/m² densities. Stocking densities up to 6 prawn/m² did not affect tilapia production and required neither additional feeding nor significant changes in management. The polyculture system allowed an increase in total production with the same amount of supplied feed, thus improving the system sustainability.     

Growth and feed conversion of cage-reared Cichlasoma synspillum Hubbs at three different stocking densities

Abstract. A first attempt to rear Cichlasoma synspillum Hubbs in floating cages was carried out. Fish with a mean individual weight of 18.5g were stocked at 25,50 and 100 per m³. The fish were fed a 40% protein balanced diet over a 112-day test-period. Growth differences of the fish were statistically significant (P<0.05), with the best results given by the lowest density. FCR ranged from 3.14 to 3.44, with the poorest efficiency found in treatment 3 (100/m³).