Journal of Fisheries and Life Sciences

Author(s): Azhar Ali, M. Rafiqur Rahman, M. Jahangir Alam, A. Ahmed Nishat, M. Fazla Rabbi, M. Ana-mul Haque, Rafiul Islam, M. Rafiqul Azam and M. Ashik Ullah

Abstract: Stinging Catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) was cultured with Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia-GIFT (Oreochromis niloticus) and Thai Shrpunti (Barbonymus gonionotus) in ponds over a period of 6 months from 15 March to 15 September 2017 to estimate the production of stinging catfish at different stocking densities. Six earthen ponds (0.06 ha) were divided into three treatments. Three treatments differing in stocking densities of H. fossilis such as 148, 200 (T1), 172,900 (T2) and 197,600 (T3) per hectare were tested with two replicates each. However, O. niloticus (4940 individuals/ha) and B. gonionotus (2470 individuals/ha) were stocked @ of 4940 and 2470 individuals/ha with H. fossilis. Mega commercial floating fish feed was used in ponds which containing 32 to 36% (pre-starter 36%, starter and grower 32%) crude protein. The water quality parameters were recorded within the acceptable range for fish culture. The final weight of H. fossilis was found 59.70±1.4g in T1 which showed the better performance followed by T2 and T3. Significantly (p < 0.05) better FCR and survivals was found in T1 followed by T2 and T3. Considering the survivals, the highest gross production (kg/ha) of H. fossilis was recorded in T2 (7415.12±214.22) followed by T1 (7133.74±120.39) and T3 (6529.45±62.12). But highest benefit was found in T1 (BDT 151, 7771) followed by T2 (BDT 125, 5470) and T3 (BDT 636,779) which indicate T1 is more efficient and profitable culture technology to produce H. fossilis in ponds. So, it could be concluded that, H. fossilis might be suggested to culture in ponds with O. niloticus and B. gonionotus at the stocking density of 148,200 individuals per hectare.