Effect of stocking densities on growth performance and survival rate of giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy) cultured in composite tanks

Abstract

   This study was conducted to determine the optimal stocking densities for the culture of giant gourami in composite tanks. The experiment was designed as completely randomized, with four stocking densities ranging from (60, 80, 100 and 120) fish/m³, with three replicates for each density treatment. Fingerling of experiments (initial weight and length of fingerlings were 12.7 g/fish and 9.24 cm/fish, respectively) were cultured in composite tanks (0.5 m³/tank) and fed with pellets containing 35 % crude protein. After 8 weeks of the experiment, the results showed no effect of stocking density on the survival rate of giant gourami (p > 0.05), although growth and feed utilization of the fish were significantly decreased as increased stocking densities (p < 0.05). Fish with stocking density of 80 ind./m³ had high daily weight and length gain (DWG = 0.34 g/day, DLG = 0.036 cm/day, respectively) and a low feed conversion ratio (FCR = 1.16); there were no statistically significant differences compared to the stocking density of 60 ind./m³ (p > 0.05). The production of fish stocked at 80 ind./m³ (2.45 kg/m³) was significant higher than the density treatment of 60 ind./m³ (1.99 kg/m³) (p < 0.05). Therefore, the most suitable stocking density for farming giant gourami in this study was 80 ind./m³.