Production of Oreochromis niloticus (L.) and ecosystem dynamics in manured ponds of three depths

Abstract. During three 5-month experiments in Thailand, earthen ponds of approximately 370m2 surface area were stocked with male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), fingerlings of 4–12g weight at densities of 0·5 to l·6fish/m². Stocking and fertilization (with chicken manure, urea and TSP) in triplicated depth treatments of 0·6,1·0 and 1·5m were proportional to pond volume in two experiments (wet and dry seasons) and to pond area in the other (dry season).
Depth showed no direct effect on fish yields of 0·9–6·3t/ha/year, on survival rates of 66 to 98%, nor on final individual weights of 96–313 g/fish. Greater yields were obtained from deeper ponds when they received proportionally greater stocking and fertilizer inputs. Inputs per unit area were the most important factor accounting for yield variation.
Temperature, dissolved N and P, and suspended solids showed little or no relation to depth treatments. Time-averaged chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic production of dissolved oxygen were greater in treatments receiving greater inputs of nitrogen per unit pond volume.
Deeper ponds produced the greatest areal yields of fish, when fertilized in proportion to their volumes. Shallow ponds produced fish and dissolved oxygen at least as efficiently per unit input as did deep ponds, which is consistent with models of photosynthesis-depth relations.     

Comparison of Tilapia Monoculture and Carp Polyculture in Fertilized Earthen Ponds

A comparison of a monoculture of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and a polyculture of carps (silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix; rohu Labeo rohita; and mrigal Cirrhinus mriga la; ratio 4:3:3) was carried out in 200-m² earthen ponds fertilized with cattle manure and supplemented with inorganic fertilizer at 3-kg nitrogen and 1.5-kg phosphorus/ha per day. A control treatment of a tilapia monoculture without fertilizer inputs was included to assess the effect of pond basal fertility. Net yields of 23.5 kg/pond per 112 d (3.8 t/ha per 1 yr) in the tilapia monoculture and 19.2 kg/pond per 112 d (3.1 t/ha per yr) in the carp polyculture were not significantly different; net yields from unfertilized tilapia monoculture ponds were negative. In the carp polyculture, silver carp was the dominant species at harvest contributing 73% of the total net fish production compared to 9% and 19% by rohu and mrigal, respectively. Water quality data suggested that tilapia yields could have been further improved by increasing fertilization rate but that critical dissolved oxygen concentration constrained this option for carp polyculture.     

Supplemental Feeding of Tilapia in Fertilized Ponds

The addition of feed to fertilized fish ponds was evaluated by adding feed alone, feed plus fertilizer, or fertilizer alone to nine ponds stocked with Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus . Two experiments were conducted. The first had 500 fish per 250 m² pond in 3 treatments: ad-libitum feeding; fertilizer only; or fertilizer and ad-libitum feeding. The second experiment had 5 treatments with 750 fish per pond ad-libitum feed only; fertilizer only; or 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 satiation ration plus fertilizer. Ponds in Thailand were maintained for 155–162 d, during which chemical and physical properties were monitored. In experiment 1 tilapia growth was highest in feed only ponds, and lowest in fertilizer only ponds. Net yield did not differ significantly among treatments, due to variation in survival. In experiment 2, tilapia growth was lowest in fertilizer only ponds, intermediate in 0.25 ration ponds, and highest in 0.50, 0.75, and ad-libitum ponds. The latter treatments were not significantly different. Multiple regressions for each experiment indicated only 47–87% of the variance in growth was explained by feed and fertilizer input, while 52–89% of the variance in yield was explained by those factors. For both experiments combined, 90.3% of the variance in growth was explained by feed input, fertilizer input, alkalinity, and total inorganic nitrogen concentration. For yield, R ² was 0.888 and the regression included feed input, pH, and number of low dissolved oxygen events. Experiment 1 appeared to approach carrying capacity near the end, while no reduction in growth occurred in experiment 2 at higher fish density and biomass. Reductions in growth in experiment 1 were not correlated with declining water quality late in the grow out. Combinations of feed and fertilizer were most efficient in growing tilapia to large size (500 g) compared to complete feeding or fertilizing alone.     

Use of duckweed (Lemna sp.) grown in sugarmill effluent for milkfish, Chanos chanos Forskal, production

Abstract. Oxidation treatment of sugarmill waste using duckweed ( Lemna sp.) as part of the system, to reduce effluent nutrient concentrations and biological oxygen demand (BOD), was evaluated during a 6 month milling season in Negros Oriental, Philippines. Mean ammonia concentration in effluent water was reduced from 0·87 to 0·31 mg/l NH₃-N and orthophosphate from 0·93 to 0·51 mg/l P₂O₅, while mean BOD was reduced from 611 to 143mg/t BOD₅, after treatment. Seasonal mass fish kills in the adjoining bay no longer occurred during the 3 years following introduction of this treatment. The mean duckweed production (dry weight) was 8–8g/m²/day. Duckweed was harvested from a 1·9ha area of the system and transferred to an adjacent milkfish, Chanos chanos Forskal, farm. Its fertilization effect, in terms of lablab production ( lablab is the biological complex of bluegreen algae, diatoms, bacteria and various animals which forms a mat at the bottom or floats in patches), was evaluated in the milkfish ponds. This was compared with ponds fertilized with either inorganic fertilizers or cow manure, in the traditional way. Lablab growth was significantly increased using duckweed, with ash-free dry weight production averaging 32g/m²/day following fertilization with duckweed compared with 4g/m²/day using inorganic fertilizers. Milkfish net production averaged 320 kg/ha/90-day crop in inorganically fertilized ponds. 545kg/ha/90-day crop for cow manure and 820kg/ha/90-day crop in duckweed-fertilized ponds. The system is described and the benefits of this integrated waste treatment-fish production facility are discussed.     

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.     

The Effects of Fertilization and Water Management on Growth and Production of Nile Tilapia in Deep Ponds During the Dry Season

Abstract— Fertilization guidelines developed for shallow ponds (1 m) with controlled depths were tested in deeper (2.5 m) ponds to determine effectiveness of these guidelines for culture of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus . Twelve ponds of 2.5-m depth were used in four treatments: (A) weekly fertilization with water addition; (B) weekly fertilization without water addition; (C) one early fertilization without water addition; and (D) fertilization frequency dependent on nutrient concentrations, without water addition. Sex-reversed Nile tilapia were stocked at 2 fish/m² with an initial weight of 15 g, and harvested after 234 d. Depth of water declined from 2.4 m to 1.6 m over the experiment in ponds without water addition. Fish growth rate was significantly higher in treatments A and B (0.86 g/d), than in other treatments, as was yield (3,830 kg/ha). Treatment C was lowest in growth (0.086 g/d) and yield (168 kg/ha), with treatment D intermediate. Fish growth rates and yields were strongly correlated to manure input ( R² = 0.89 and 0.94, respectively), and residuals were not correlated to any physical or chemical variables. Growth and yield in these deep ponds were somewhat lower than those in previous experiments for shallow ponds with regular water inputs. However, stagnant ponds did not accumulate nutrients and metabolites at rates higher than ponds with controlled water depths.     

Effect of body colour of Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) on predation by largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède)

Abstract. Fifty each of F₂-generation gold ( gg ), bronze ( Gg ), and black ( GG ) Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) and either zero, four or eight largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides , (Lacepède) were stocked in 20-m² concrete tanks. After 7 days, water in all tanks was drained, and fish in each tank were censused. Largemouth bass ate 18% of the tilapia in the four-bass treatment (1 tilapia/bass/day) and 60% of the tilapia in the eight-bass treatment (1·6 tilapia/bass/day); the difference was significant (P=0–05). In the four-bass treatment there was a greater observed mean predation rate on gold than that on black or on bronze tilapia, but the difference was not significant: largemouth bass ate 25% of the gold tilapia, 16% of the bronze tilapia, and 13% of the black tilapia. In the eight-bass treatment, predation on the gold tilapia was significantly greater than that on both bronze (P=0·05) and on black (P=0·06) tilapia; predation on bronze and black tilapia was similar: largemouth bass ate 80% of the gold tilapia, 48% of the bronze tilapia, and 51% of the black tilapia. Overall average total predation (both treatments combined) on gold tilapia was significantly (P=0·06) greater than that on both bronze and on black tilapia, which did not differ: largemouth bass ate 52% of the gold tilapia, 32% of the bronze tilapia, and 32% of the black tilapia. The increased vulnerability of gold tilapia to predation was a negative pleiotropic effect of the gg genotype.     

Simulation of food and oxygen limitations on the growth of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., in fishponds

A model for dynamic simulation of the growth of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), in relation to food amount and composition, temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentration was applied to tilapia ponds. To model food competition between stocked fish and fingerling recruits, a pond food module was added. Data for model calibration were from uniform experiments with all-male O niloticus ponds fertilized with inorganic fertilizers and chicken manure in Honduras, Rwanda and Thailand. Calibration consisted of iterative determination of two model parameters: (1) CONLEV, the consumption rate without food or oxygen limitations; and (2) TPFS, the total daily food supply by the pond. Calibration results showed that, in most ponds, final fish weight could be simulated with acceptable values for CONLEV and TPFS. Both CONLEV and TPFS were related to natural productivity indicators (net primary production and chlorophyll a concentration). For each pond, an estimate of the degree of food and/or oxygen limitation could be given. Validation of the model with independent data from Indonesia and Panama was unsuccessful. The relationships used to estimate values of CONLEV and TPFS from primary productivity measurements were not satisfactory. A more detailed approach to modeling food competition and oxygen limitation under these conditions is necessary. The model provides a conceptual framework for the analysis of fish growth in ponds, tying together effects of food quantity and composition, temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentration.     

Nursing duration and pond fertilization level affect polycultures of Indian major carp (rohu Labeo rohita and mrigal Cirrhina mrigala) with monosex Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

This study investigated the effects of nursing duration on the subsequent performance of rohu (R) Labeo rohita and mrigal (M) Cirrhina mrigala in polyculture with monosex male Nile tilapia (T) Oreochromis niloticus at four levels of pond fertilization. Nile tilapia, rohu and mrigal were stocked at a ratio of 4:1:1 in a 90‐day trial based on 40 20‐m² pens fixed in four 400‐m² earthen ponds. Growth of carp fingerlings during prolonged nursing (5 or 12 months) was stunted compared with fish nursed over a conventional duration of 3 months (3) but showed superior growth subsequently. Mean daily weight gain of stunted rohu (12) ranged from 2.2 to 2.8 g per fish day^?1 compared with 1.1–1.6 g per fish day^?1 for younger fish (3). The comparable ranges for mrigal were 1.9–2.8 and 1.4–2.1 g per fish day^?1. Growth of Nile tilapia was inversely related to duration of carp nursing at the four levels of fertilization. Nile tilapia showed more response to increasing levels of fertilizer input (Y=?1.421+1.716X, where Y is the daily weight gain of Nile tilapia and X is the fertilizer level, r²=0.98, P<0.01, n=12). At a high level of fertilization (3.0 kg N:1.5 kg P ha^?1 day^?1), performance of stunted fingerlings (5 and 12) of both rohu and mrigal was similar (range 2.3–2.8 g per fish day^?1, P>0.05), but younger mrigal (M3) grew faster than rohu (2.1 g per fish day^?1 and 1.6 g per fish day^?1 respectively). Older rohu (12) appeared to perform particularly well, and Nile tilapia poorly at the lowest level of fertilization (1.5 N:0.75 kg P ha^?1 day^?1), suggesting the impact of age of seed on competition within polycultures. The net fish yield (NFY) of tilapia was not affected significantly (P>0.05) by differential stocking age of carps; therefore, combined NFY of the three experimental fish species was not affected by the age of carp, as tilapia was the dominant species in polyculture. The highest combined NFY of all species in the most intensively fertilized pond (3.0 N:1.5 P kg ha^?1 day^?1) was calculated at 4.06±0.08 g·m^?2 day^?1, which was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the yield (1.82±0.12 g·m^?2 day^?1) from the pond with the lowest fertilization. At the highest fertilizer level, tilapia, rohu and mrigal contributed 72%, 14% and 14%, respectively, to the NFY, whereas the ratio was 60%, 20% and 20% at the lowest fertilization level. The study indicated that yields from tilapia in polyculture with the two carp species in more eutrophic water can be optimized if advanced nursing of carps is practised. Moreover, higher inputs of inorganic fertilizer and advanced nursing of carp are economically attractive under Bangladeshi conditions. Advanced nursing of rohu also improves its performance in more extensive systems when tilapia densities are high.     

Optimum harvest time in Aquaculture: an application of economic principles to a Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), growth model

A simple method is presented for determining the optimum time to harvest fish and the effect of fertilization type on optimum harvest time for Aquaculture. Optimum harvest time was similar for either maximizing fish yield or maximizing profit of fish harvested (price of fish times fish yield minus fish production cost), because the daily change in fish production cost was low for the low-input Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), production system in Thailand. At a harvest time of 150 days for an organic fertilization treatment compared to an inorganic fertilization treatment fish yield increased from l-505 t/ha to 2-295 t/ha, and profit of fish harvested increased from 15657·1 baht/ha (US$ 590-8/ha) to 25127·5 baht/ha (US$ 948-2/ha). For the organic treatment, optimum harvest time occurred at 191 days, with a fish yield of 2·328 t/ha and a profit of 25520·5baht/ha (US$ 963·0/ha), compared to the inorganic treatment where optimum harvest time occurred at 105 days with a fish yield of 1·536 t/ha and a profit of 16035·4baht/ha (US$ 605·1/ha).     

Brown propolis extract in feed as a growth promoter of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus 1758) fingerlings

This study assessed the use of increasing levels of brown propolis extract (BPE) as a growth promoter in Nile tilapia fingerling feeds. In a complete randomized design, 75 Nile tilapia fingerlings with 60 days on average and weighing 4.1±0.1 g were assigned to 25 aquaria (60 L) and subjected to 5 treatments in 5 repetitions for 30 days. Propolis from Serra do Araripe, Cariri Region, South Ceará State – Brazil was used to produce the BPE. The treatments involved the addition of BPE to feed samples (0.91, 1.83, 2.74 and 3.65 g kg⁻¹) and feed control (without BPE). The final mean weight and the percentage of weight gain varied quadratically with the increase in BPE ( P <0.01), with a maximum of 2.22 g kg⁻¹. The other evaluated parameters were not affected by the treatments ( P >0.05). The level of best performance parameters was 2.22 g kg⁻¹, between the levels of 1.83 and 2.74 g BPE kg⁻¹ feed inclusion. These results indicate the potential to use the brown propolis extract as a growth promoter to Nile tilapia fingerlings.     

The fate of chlortetracycline residues in a simulated chicken–fish integrated farming systems

Two experiments were conducted at the Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand to investigate the fate of chlortetracycline (CTC) residue in chicken manure and its effect on integrated chicken–fish farming system. During the first experiment, broiler chickens were raised and CTC residues in their manure were analysed. Chicken fed diets containing 0, 50, 200 and 800 CTC mg kg^?1 had CTC residue levels of 0, 0.9, 3.8 and 6.5 CTC ng g^?1. Once the diet containing CTC was withdrawn, CTC in the manure dropped to negligible amounts (0, 0, 0.2 and 0.5 CTC ng g^?1) within 1 day. Integrated chicken–fish farming systems were simulated during the second experiment to determine the fate of antibiotic residues in chicken manure in aquaculture environment. Chickens were fed a CTC‐free diet and a feed containing CTC at 200 mg kg^?1. Ten 4 m³ square concrete tanks (2 × 2 × 1 m) were used for the experiment. Five tanks were fertilized with CTC‐contaminated manure and the remaining five tanks were fertilized with CTC‐free manure at a rate of 100 kg dry matter ha^?1 day^?1. Sex‐reversed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was stocked at 12 fish tank^?1 on the 14th day after chicken manure application. The immuno‐radio microbial receptor assay (Charm II test) revealed that edible fish muscle, fish intestinal tract and sediment were contaminated by CTC at rates of 7.21, 22.104 and 1.788 ng g^?1, respectively, after 45 days. Chlortetracycline was detected on day 20 in the water column and gradually increased from 0.26 to 12.13 ng g^?1. Chlortetracycline residues were not detected in fish or the aquatic environment of the CTC‐free treatment. The results demonstrate the potential for antibiotic residue accumulation in fish and aquatic environment when CTC‐contaminated chicken manure is used for pond fertilization.     

Production of Florida red tilapia in seawater pools: Nursery rearing with chicken manure and growout with prepared feed

Florida red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) were reared in 23 m³ seawater (37 ppt) pools. Monosex males (1.3 g mean weight) were stocked at a density of 25 fish/m³ and reared to fingerling size (>10 g) in pools receiving either chicken manure applied at a rate of 105 kg/ha day⁻¹ or pelletized feed (30% protein) administered ad libitum. Following the nursery period, fingerlings in fed pools were reared through adult, marketable sizes.

After 20 days of nursery rearing, mean fish weights (5.7–9.6 g) and survival (77.5–98.6%) in manured pools ranged from less than to greater than values in fed pools (7.9–9.4 g and 95.5–98.2%). By day 33, while mean weights (11.3±0.4 g) and survival (84.5±5.2%) in manured pools were significantly less than those in fed pools (18.0±0.6 g and 95.9±1.4%), fingerling-size fish were obtained from manured pools at an overall productivity of 55 kg/ha day⁻¹.

After 170 days in fed pools, mean fish weight was 467±9 g, survival was 89.7±0.9%, and food conversion was 1.6±0.2. Daily weight gain achieved a maximum of 4.4 g day before a rapid decline in water temperature from 28–29°C to 24–25°C caused a loss of fish appetite and evidence of disease.

The results suggest that while nursery rearing of Florida red tilapia in seawater pools fertilized with chicken manure is feasible, considerable variability in fish performance among pools can be expected, despite identical management methods. In pools receiving prepared feed, high growth rates and survival through adult, marketable sizes suggests a potential for commercial production of Florida red tilapia in seawater.     

不同盐、碱度下3品系尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼网箱养殖的生长比较

以慢性驯化后的上海、山东、河北品系尼岁岁非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）幼鱼为试验材料,比较它们在盐度组（0、15和20）、碳酸氢钠（NaHCO3）碱度组（1 g·L^-1、2 g·L^-1和3 g·L^-1）以及盐碱混合组（15,1 g·L^-1;15,2 g·L^-1;15,3 g·L^-1;20,1 g·L^-1;20,2 g·L^-1和20,3 g·L^-1）条件下网箱养殖成活率和日均增重率差异.62d试验结果表明,上海、山东、河北品系尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼在不同盐度、碱度、盐碱混合处理组中的成活率差异不显著（P＞0.05）,而日均增重率的差异显著（P＜0.05）.随着盐度、碱度增加,尼罗罗非鱼生长速度大体呈下降趋势;盐碱混合组生长速度较单盐、单碱组减慢.还发现不同品系尼罗罗非鱼在不同盐碱梯度下表现出不同的相对生长优势.研究结果为尼罗罗非鱼适宜养殖的盐碱范围确定、品系筛选提供了重要的基础资料.     

Growth and survival response of Penaeus stylirostris (Stimpson) to fertilization, pelleted feed and stocking density in earthen ponds

Abstract. Growth and survival response of Penaeus stylirostris (Stimpson) to fertilization, pelleted feeding and stocking density were analysed for the conditions prevailing on the Baja California peninsula (Mexico). Three 0·25-ha earthen ponds were longitudinally divided in half with mesh structures. One half received inorganic fertilization (trial F) and the other supplementary feeding using a pelletized ration (trial PF). The initial stocking rates were approximately 5, 10 and 15 PL5/m² in both trials. After 210 days, final mean weights ranged from 15·0 to 5·3g and survival from 48·6 to 17·8%. Growth and survival were analysed by means of a reparameterization of the von Bertalanffy's growth model and the exponential mortality equation. Results indicated that: (1) final mean weight was dependent on density in both trials ( P < 0·01) although growth rate was only affected in trial PF ( P < 0·01); (2) pelleted feeding produced both greater final mean weight and increased growth rate at densities higher than 5 PL/m² ( P < 0·005); (3) the ratio tail weight/total weight was influenced by density in trial F ( P < 0·015); (4) the mortality equation served to explain differences in survival to a limited extent. An increase in growth rate after 170 days occurring at the intermediate density in trial PF was attributed to an increase in mortality, which allowed the remaining individuals to attain larger sizes. Further research to increase biomass yields should focus on the optimization of pond depth, the supply of vigorous post-larvae and on the possible influences of seasonal variations of planktonic communities of the lagoons on the productivity of ponds.     

3种品系尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)盐碱耐受性和生长比较

为评估尼罗罗非鱼的耐盐碱性能,分别测定了上海、山东、河北3种品系尼罗罗非鱼鱼种96 h的半致死盐、碱度,并在不同盐碱混合浓度(S0A0、S10A0、S10A2、S10A4、S10A6)中进行为期60 d的养殖生长比较。单盐、单碱耐性研究表明,上海、山东、河北3种品系尼罗罗非鱼鱼种的96 h半致死盐度分别为18.528 g/L、20.347 g/L、19.342 g/L,96 h半致死Na HCO3碱度为8.827g/L、8.540 g/L、8.542 g/L。盐碱混合条件下,盐度为10时,96 h半致死碱度分别为河北品系(4.377g/L)上海品系(3.561 g/L)山东品系(3.108 g/L),品系之间差异显著(P0.05);盐度为15时,96 h半致死碱度分别为河北品系2.144 g/L,上海品系2.183 g/L,山东品系2.183 g/L,品系之间无显著差异(P0.05),高盐度下尼罗罗非鱼鱼种的碱度耐受性明显低于低盐度下的碱度耐受性。结果表明,尼罗罗非鱼日均增重率在S0A0、S10A0组间无显著差异(P0.05),随着盐碱浓度增加,盐碱S10A4和S10A6组中日均增重率呈下降趋势,河北品系表现出相对生长优势(P0.05)。研究结果为尼罗罗非鱼适宜养殖的盐碱范围的确定、耐盐碱品系的筛选提供了基础资料。     

Effects of manures and pelleted feeds on survival,growth, and yield of Penaeus stylirostris and Penaeus vannamei in Panama

Brackishwater ponds on the Pacific coast of Panama were stocked at 5/m² with wild-caught postlarval shrimp (0.05 g). Species composition at stocking was 56% Panaeus vannamei, 33% P. stylirostris and 11% P. occidentalis. Experimental treatments were: chicken manure (4500 kg/ha dry weight), cow manure (4500 kg/ha), 25% protein pelleted feed (790 kg/ha) and control (which received no nutrient input). Water was exchanged 5–10% daily throughout the 120-day production period during the 1982 rainy season. Average shrimp yields at harvest, by treatment, were: chicken manure, 262 kg/ha; cow manure, 218 kg/ha; feed, 386 kg/ha; and the control, 160 kg/ha. Average survival for each treatment was 50%, 76%, 58% and 77%, respectively. All P. occidentalis died during the production period. Survival was not significantly different among treatments (P > 0.05). Average weights or shrimp at harvest were 8.72g, 7.32 g, 12.07 g, and 5.98 g, respectively, for the treatments. Manures and feed significantly increased yield over the control (P < 0.002). Feed significantly increased yield over that of the manures (P < 0.0001), while yield for manures did not differ (P > 0.05). A partial budget analysis indicated that a net income for the feed treatment was higher than for chicken manure or cow manure treatments.     

Response of tilapia yield and economics to varying rates of organic fertilization and season in two Central American countries

The response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) yield to weekly applications of chicken litter at 125, 250, 500 or 1000 kg total solids (T.S.)/ha was determined in Honduras and Panama using a completely randomized design. Tilapia were stocked at 10 000/ha into 0.1-ha (Honduras) and 0.087-ha (Panama) earthen ponds. Each experiment, which lasted approximately 150 days, was performed during the rainy and dry season. Enterprise budgets were developed for each fertilization rate in each country.Gross yield of tilapia (y) increased significantly with chicken litter applications (x) in both countries, and was described by the model y=797.3+2.945x−0.001x² (r²=0.775; n=48). Gross yields ranged from 827–2729 kg/ha in 147 days during the rainy season, and from 1145–2984 kg/ha in 150 days during the dry season. Maximum tilapia gross yields were achieved at 1000 kg T.S./ha week⁻¹ chicken litter in both countries. In Honduras, rainy (1761 kg/ha in 152 days) and dry (1705 kg/ha in 150 days) season mean tilapia gross yields were similar (P=0.05). Dry season (2071 kg/ha in 149 days) mean tilapia gross yield in Panama was significantly greater (P<0.05) than rainy season mean gross yield (1683 kg/ha in 141 days). Rainy season climatic conditions in Panama probably contributed to the lower fish yields. Mean fish gross yield at the cooler, drier Honduras site (1733 kg/ha in 151 days), an upland valley located 580 m above sea level, and at the Panama site (1855 kg/ha in 145 days), a coastal plateau 100 m above sea level, was similar (P=0.05). Mean gross yields were similar in both countries for all but the highest fertilization rate, where the Panama mean yield was significantly greater. This difference was caused by site-specific factors other than nutrient input.The use of chicken litter as an organic fertilizer was profitable in both Honduras and Panama. Net returns to land, labor and management during the 5.5-month production cycle ranged from $ 642 to $ 1724/ha (Honduras) or from −$237 to $313/ha (Panama) for the low to high fertilization rates, respectively. Application of 1000 kg T.S./ha week⁻¹ chicken litter yielded the greatest estimated profit in both countries.     

Growth of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. from Lakes Zwai, Langeno and Chamo (Ethiopian rift valley) based on otolith microincrement analysis

Abstract – Age and growth of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus , from Lakes Zwai, Langeno and Chamo (Ethiopia) were studied from microincrements in otoliths. Growth in length was best described by the Gompertz model. Average growth rate of the fish was most rapid in Lake Chamo (0.39 mm  ·  day⁻¹, 1.14%  ·  day⁻¹), intermediate in Lake Zwai (0.20 mm  ·  day⁻¹, 0.72%  ·  day⁻¹) and slowest in Lake Langeno (0.16 mm  ·  day⁻¹, 0.62%  ·  day⁻¹). Similarly, back-calculation from otolith increment widths gave growth rates of 0.28 to 0.43 mm  ·  day⁻¹, 0.15 to 0.32 mm  ·  day⁻¹ and 0.11 to 0.28 mm  ·  day⁻¹ for Chamo, Zwai and Langeno fish, respectively. In addition, Fulton's condition factor was largest for Chamo tilapia and smallest for Langeno tilapia; the difference between fish from Langeno and Zwai was small. Rapid growth of juvenile O. niloticus in Lake Chamo was attributed to warm temperature and better food quality. ^Note     

Heritability estimates and response to selection for growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in low-input earthen ponds

This study presents results of two generations of selection (G₁ and G₂) for growth of Nile tilapia. The selection environment consisted of earthen ponds which were fertilized daily with 50 kg dry matter (dm)/ha chicken manure. No supplementary feeds were provided. In total, 6429 fully pedigreed experimental fish were included in the analysis. Survival till harvest was highly variable ranging from 35% to 77% and was affected by initial weight, pond, and age effects. Body weight at harvest (BW) increased from a mean of 67.4 g in the grandparental (unselected) population (G₀) to 129.5 g in G₂ was affected by initial weight, pond, sex and age effects. Generations were discrete and therefore genetic parameters were estimated separately for each year. Heritability estimates for BW ranged from 0.38 to 0.60, and the heritability for survival ranged from 0.03 to 0.14. The estimated selection response was 23.4 g (34.7%) between G₀ and G₁ and 13.0 g (14.9%) between G₁ and G₂. These results demonstrate the feasibility of selection for growth of Nile tilapia in low-input environments.