| Carcass Composition and Growth Curves as Affected By 50m-3 and 60m-3 Stocking Density of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Reared in Biofloc Culture System |
| Paper ID : 1011-ICIAQUA |
| Authors |
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Kinza Ashraf * Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture Faisalabad |
| Abstract |
| Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of stocking densities (50 fish m-3 and 60 fish m-3) on Nile tilapia's carcass composition and growth curves within an intensive culture system utilizing biofloc technology. Method: The research was conducted at the Fish Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Fingerlings of Nile Tilapia from the Fisheries Research Farm were acclimatized in glass aquaria and provided a basal diet for two weeks. Two groups were established with distinct stocking densities, and a diet comprising 25% crude protein was administered at 6% body weight for four months. Weekly growth parameters were analyzed via a two-sample T-test, indicating significant differences. Results: Nile Tilapia in the first treatment (T1) demonstrated greater total weight gain (94.69±4.37g) compared to the second treatment (T2) (86.97±3.9g). Similarly, the total length gain in T1 (12±0.44cm) surpassed T2 (9.94±0.41cm). T2 exhibited higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) values (2.56±0.05) than T1 (2.47±0.05). The specific growth rate (SGR) for T1 (2.23±0.04) outperformed T2 (2.16±0.04). The survival rate was higher in T1 (97.2±0.6) than in T2 (96.4±0.6). Notable differences in carcass composition were observed, with T1 recording higher crude protein content (48.05% vs. 46.16%), crude lipid content (22.61% vs. 20.41%), ash content (14.93% vs. 13.4%), and slightly lower dry matter (25.7% vs. 28.3%.) compared to T2. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study demonstrated that a stocking density of 50 fish m-3 exhibited superior carcass composition and growth curves compared to 60 fish m-3. |
| Keywords |
| Nile Tilapia, Stocking density, Carcass composition, Growth curves, Biofloc Technology, Intensive Culture |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |