Fertilizing fish ponds: III. Growth of Mugil capito in Egypt by pond fertilization and feeding

The possibility of increasing the growth rate of M. capito fry by using supplemental artificial food and different fertilizers in seven ponds at Mex Experimental Station, Alexandria, is discussed. Growth was indicated by an increase in the length and weight of the fish.The experiment demonstrated different patterns of growth of M. capito. The best growth rates for the adolescent fish are achieved by using supplemental artificial food composed of powdered blood and flour. The next best results are obtained with the cheaper cotton seed cake and rice bran. The increase in the growth rate of the fish in the ponds fertilized with superphosphate and superphosphate plus nitrate, is lower for the 6–12-month-old fish, while it is highest from the fry stage until 6 months of age. Obviously there is a considerable difference between the treated and untreated ponds.