Rearing of Clarias batrachus (Lin.) larvae with formulated diets

An experiment was carried out for a period of 20 days using 7-day old Clarias batrachus larvae of initial total length of 7.4 ± 0.49 mm and weight of 2.9 ± 0.83 mg. Three artificial diets were used for the study having three replication of each. Among these, diet-I was formulated using 20% fish meal (FM), 30% powdered milk and 30% boiled egg yolk (BEY), diet-II using 27% FM, 20% Baker’s yeast (BY), 30% BEY and 3% agar and diet-III using 20% FM, 20% BY and 45% whole egg. The larvae fed on diets-II and III showed significantly (P<0.05) better length and weight gain than those of the larvae fed on diet-I. The larvae fed on diet- III showed the best survival rate (70%). However, the condition factor of the larvae fed on diet I was significantly better than those of the larvae fed on other two diets. The results of the study showed that C. batrachus larvae could be successfully reared with diet containing 45% whole egg, 20% yeast and 20% fish meal.

Growth and survival of Clarias batrachus (Lin.) larvae fed on formulated diets

An experiment was conducted for a period of 28 days using 7-day old C. batrachus larvae of initial total length (±S.D.) of 7.4 ± 0.49 mm and weight (±S.D.) of 2.8 ± 0.75 mg. Five test diets viz. diets I, II, III, IV and V were prepared. Diet I was formulated using 30% fish meal (FM), 20% soybean meal (SM) and 20% Baker's yeast (BY), diet III using 15% FM, 20% SM, 15% cotton seed meal and 30% BY and diet IV using 20% FM, 30% BY and 30% powdered milk. The remaining two diets (diets II and V) were prepared using minced clam meat (96%) and BY (90%) respectively as the sole source of protein. Three replications were used for each treatment. The larvae fed on diet II exhibited significantly (P<0.05) better length gain and specific growth rate (SGR) than those of the larvae fed on diet III and there was no significant difference among the length gain and SGR of the larvae fed on diet I,II,IV and V. The larvae fed on diet II also showed significantly better weight gain and survival than those of the larvae fed on other diets. There was no significant difference between the condition factor of the larvae fed on diet II and IV. However, the larvae fed on diet II showed better condition factor than those of the larvae fed on other diets.

Food preference and intake pattern of Penaeus monodon (Fab.) in semi-intensive culture system

P. monodon juveniles prefer natural food than artificial feed in their initial stage of rearing. However, the percentage preference towards artificial feed increases as the days of culture/average body weight increases. Consumption of artificial feed was high during evening meal (1700h) and low during night meal (2200h). The index of intestine fullness was high (8.4±0.7) during initial stage of rearing, compared to that of final stage of rearing (4.9±0.4), probably due to low nutritional value of intake material and low water depth at initial stage. At all stage of rearing omnivorous feeding habit was established and no evidence of diet periodicity in feeding activity was observed.

Effects of duckweed (Lemna minor) as dietary fishmeal substitute for silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus Bleeker)

A 60-day long growth trial was conducted to evaluate the suitability of duckweed Lemna minor as dietary fish meal substitute for silver barb (Borbodes gonionotus Bleeker). Five iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated to contain 35% protein and each treatment had three replicates with 15 fish in each aquarium with a mean initial weight of 1.5 ± 0.2 g. Duckweed was used in the experiment to replace 10, 20, 30 and 35% of the dietary fish meal in diet 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Fish meal was used as the sole source of protein in control diet (Diet 1). Fish were fed three times daily at satiation level. In terms of growth, food conversion and protein utilization, the control diet and diet containing 17.07% duckweed showed the best (P<0.05) performance followed by diets containing 34.14%, 51.21% and 59.24% duckweed. Fish fed diets containing higher levels of duckweed had higher carcass moisture and lower lipid content compared to the control diet. Histopathological examination revealed abnormalities in the liver of fish fed diets containing higher inclusion of duckweed. It was noted that 10% of the dietary fish meal protein could be replaced by duckweed (L. minor) in the diet of silver barb (B. gonionotus).

Nutrient digestibility coefficients of diets with varying energy to protein ratio for Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

A laboratory trial was conducted in a sea water recirculatory system to study the nutrient digestibility coefficients of diets with varying energy to protein ratios in Japanese flounder Paralicthys olivaceus. Six different experimental diets with two protein levels (45 and 55%) having six different energy to protein ratio of 87, 90, 94, 107, 110 and 114 were formulated using white fish meal and casein as protein sources. The results of the study showed that the apparent protein digestibility (APD) value ranged between 90.59 to 91.61% and there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the APD values of diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. The apparent lipid digestibility (ALD) values of diets ranged between 88.24 to 90.18%. The apparent energy digestibility (AED) values ranged between 80.55 to 87.52% with diet 3 producing significantly the highest AED value. In general, except in diet 1 the ALD and AED values increased with the increase of dietary lipid at both protein levels. The results of the present investigation indicated that Japanese flounder can efficiently digest the dietary nutrients at varying energy to protein ratios.

Effects of animal and plant protein diets on growth of Indian major carp (Labeo rohita Ham.) fingerlings

An experiment was conducted with Labeo rohita fingerlings in an indoor static fish rearing water system of glass made aquaria. Five experimental diets A, B, C, D and E were formulated containing 33% dietary protein level in five treatments each having two replicates containing 12 fingerlings of mean total initial weight of 13.00±0.2g. Sixty days of feeding trial in this experiment showed that fish fed on diet 'A' containing fish meal and diet 'E' containing mixed plant sources protein had significantly highest and lowest growth respectively. However, no significant difference of growth was found in fish fed on diets C and D containing meat and bone meal, and mix of animal protein source diets respectively. The result showed that the apparent protein digestibility (APD) of diets 'A' and 'E' had significantly best and least values respectively. Food conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) ranged between 1.37 to 2.17 and 1.38 to 2.18 respectively. On the basis of observed FCR and PER diets 'A' and 'E' produced significantly highest and lowest growth respectively.

Development of low-cost feed for culture of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man) in ponds

An experiment was conducted for 105 days in 12 earthen mini ponds of each 30m² size. Five different experimental diets containing 32% protein were formulated and prepared using fishmeal, shrimp meal, soybean meal, mustard oil cake, sesame meal, wheat bran and rice bran. A commercial shrimp diet (SABINCO starter-III) was assigned to treatment six and considered as the control. Prawns were stocked at the rate of 2.5 fry/m² and feed twice daily at the rate of 10% at the beginning and reduced to 8% for the last two months. The results of the experiment showed that prawn fed diets 1, 2, and 6 (control) showed significantly (P<0.05) highest weight gain among the dietary groups, while prawn fed diet 5 showed significantly lowest weight gain. The FCR values of diets ranged between 3.06 to 4.85. Prawns fed diet 1 and 6 showed significantly higher SGR, survival (%) and production among the dietary groups. The survival (%) of the prawns ranged between 46.6 to 66.6% and the production ranged between 304.5 to 563.3 kg/ha/105 days. The result of the study showed that diet containing 30% fishmeal, 5% shrimp meal, 5% soybean meal, 10% mustard oil cake, 10% sesame meal, 20% wheat bran, 18% rice bran, 1% oyster shell and 1% vitamin premix may be recommended for monoculture of M. rosenbergii.

The effect of feeding rate on the growth, food conversion and protein efficiency of silver dollar, Metynnis schreitmulleri (AHL), fry

A 30-day experiment was conducted to determine the effects of varying feeding rates on the growth of fry of silver dollar, Metynnis schreitmulleri (Ahl). Silver dollar fry with an average initial body weight of 1.100 ± 0.029 g were collected from a local fish breeder and fed a diet (35% protein and 6% fat) at the rate of 3, 6 and 9% of body weight per day in two equal meals. Per cent weight gain increased from 54.54 to 118.18 with increased feeding rates, which were significantly different (p<0.05) from each other. The highest specific growth rate was obtained in the fry fed at 9% body weight per day. In another study for 30 days, the effects of feeding frequency on growth, feed conversion and protein efficiency of silver dollar fry were evaluated. Groups of silver dollar fry with an initial individual weight of 0.700 ± 0.019 g were offered feed continuously for 24 hours during the day or night at different time intervals with varying meal sizes. The night time feeding with two meals gave the lowest weight and length gains (0.985 g and 0.30 cm). The growth rates of fish fed during day with three equal-sized meals are significantly (p<0.05) higher (4.66%) than the other treatments.

Effects of physiological doses of vitamin D sub(3) (Cholecalciferol) on induced molting and growth in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Effects of three different doses of vitamin D sub(3) on molting, growth, and calcium and phosphate composition of tissue and molt during the grow-out of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (average weight 10.56 ± 0.20 g), obtained from a grow-out pond, were studied. Intramuscular doses of vitamin D sub(3) (100, 500 and 2000 IU/kg body weight) were given on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 25th and 30th days. All the experimental animals were fed with a basal diet containing fish meal, shrimp meal, wheat flour, groundnut de-oiled cake, soybean meal and wheat bran at 3% of the body weight. The numbers of molts were recorded as 20±0.50, 29±1.16, 51±1.87, and 30±1.60 in control, 100, 500 and 2000 IU/kg body weight physiological doses, respectively. Maximum growth was recorded in prawns given 500 IU/ kg dose. Survival was between 58.33 ± 9.13 and 77.77 ± 8.61%. The ash content and calcium level increased significantly (p<0.05) and recorded the highest values in 500 IU/kg physiological dose. However, the inorganic phosphate (P sub(i)) content recorded the highest values in tissue in 2000 IU/kg dose (p<0.05, F = 50.60613). There is no significant difference in calcium contents (p>0.05) in both tissue and molt at 500 and 2000 IU/kg doses. It was found that a higher physiological dose (2000 IU/kg) of vitamin D sub(3) increased the rate of mortality. Results have shown that vitamin D sub(3) has a positive impact on the growth and survival of M. rosenbergii and it interferes with the metabolism of Ca and P sub(i), in tissue, and alters molting frequency. Results on physiological dose suggest an alternative and effective dietary supplementation method of vitamin D sub(3) in the grow-out phase of M. rosenbergii.

Studies on the preparation of fish silage. 3. Dried silage products

An investigation was undertaken on the production of dried products from silver belly (Leiognathus splendens) silage mixed with plant filter materials. Silages produced using hydrochloric acid and/or formic acid when mixed with rice bran or maize meal and dried, yielded powders having an acceptable appearance and a pleasant odour, which are suitable for use in compounded chicken feeds.

Effect of phosphorous supplementation in the formulated fish feed on carcass quality of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phosphorus supplementation in the formulated fish diet on carcass quality of Nile tilapia in net-cages suspended in fertilized earthen ponds. In the experiment 3% di-calcium phosphate (DCP), 3% triple supper phosphate (TSP) and 7% 16:20 inorganic fertilizer were added as phosphorous sources to three diets containing fish meal as main protein ingredient. Feeding tilapia in net-cages with these diets significantly (p

Effect of farm made feeds on polyculture of shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and three brackishwater finfish species

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed made from locally available ingredients on polyculture of shrimp and three brackishwater finfish species. Hatchery produced post-larvae (PL) of shrimp Penaeus monodon (0.005g) were stocked at the rate of 15,000 PLs/ha. Brackishwater finfish species Liza parsia, Mugil cephalus and Rhinomugil corsula of 0.63-1.4lg collected from local rivers were stocked at the rate 8,000, 1,000 and 2,000/ha, respectively in four treatments. Shrimp and finfishes were fed four different experimental diets composed of fish meal, mustard oil cake, rice bran, oyster shell power and vitamin premixes at the rate of 3-5% estimated crop/day for 195 days. Among four treatments, P. monodon showed comparative better growth in T4 and T3. Finfish L. parsia showed its better performance in treatment T2. Species M. cephalus and R. corsula showed insignificant production. P. monodon showed better growth with diet of fish meal and mustard oil cake@ 28.84 and 33.65%, respectively in T 3 and 19.22 and 43.27%, respectively in treatment T4.

Development of artificial breeding techniques for long-whiskered catfish, Sperata aor and giant river catfish, Sperata seenghala of Bangladesh

Sperata aor and S. seenghala are the two important native catfishes of Bangladesh but commercial farming of these species is not possible due to lack of naturally collected or artificially produced seeds for stocking. Attempts were made to develop techniques for seed production by artificial breeding and nursery-rearing of fries of these catfishes. A total of 60 S. seenghala (750-1,500 g) and 10 S. aor (600-1,000 g) broods were collected from the Brahmaputra river-basin and floodplains in Mymensingh region four months prior to their breeding season. The collected brood fishes were reared in separate earthen ponds with supplementary feeds comprising of rice bran (40%), mustard oil cake (29%), fish meal (30%) and vitamin-premix (1 %). Three experiments were conducted to optimize the hormone dose. A total of nine S. seenghala females weighing from 750 to 1,500 g were given an initial and resolving dose of 12-20 and 16-24 mg PG/kg body weight, respectively. The males weighing from 650-950 g were administered a single dose of 18-26 mg PG/kg body weight at the time of the time of administering the resolving dose to the females. The females ovulated partially and the eggs were examined under a compound microscope, but most of them were found to be less ripe or damaged. Collection of milt by stripping the males was not successful. The testes were taken out and sperm were observed to be non-motile and less developed. In view of stimulating natural propagation of S. seenghala, artificial holes (nests) were constructed in the pond bottom. Each hole was 0.7 m in diameter and 0.3 m in depth. A total of 10 holes were made and then 10 pairs of S. seenghala breeders (800-1,200 g) were stocked in the pond. In mid February, 3,000 fry of S. seenghala with a mean length of 4.60 cm and weight of 0.36 g were collected by repeated netting followed by drying of the pond. The fry were then stocked in a nursery pond and fed with commercial feed (SABINCO starter-1). The average length and weight of the fingerlings were 9.01 cm and 3.95 g, respectively and the estimated survival was 60% after two months of rearing. S. aor did not respond to natural spawning. Further study is essential to develop techniques for their successful artificial and natural breeding.

Influence of stocking density on the culture potential of freshwater catfish Pangasius pangasius in pond

Influence of stocking density on the production of freshwater catfish Pangasius pangasius with formulated feed in ponds was studied. The fish fry were collected from the Meghna river near Chandpur which is a natural breeding ground of this fish. Three stocking densities chosen during this experiment were 5000, 8000 and 11000 fry/ha with an initial weight of 42.57 ±2.51 g. The formulated feed was prepared in the laboratory which contained 45% fish meal, 30% mustard oil cake, 15% wheat bran and 10% rice bran to supply 40.48% protein in feed. The growth of P. pangasius in terms of net weight gain was 409.49, 266.49 and 236.37 g at the 5000/ha, 8000/ha and 11000/ha stocking densities respectively, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). High food conversion ratio (FCR) was also observed during this research study which ranged between 7.06 to 7.72. A production of 2.6 tons/ha at the stocking density of 11000/ha; 2.13 tons/ha at the stocking density of 8000/ha and 2.04 tons/ha at the stocking density of 5000/ha was obtained, while the growth of individual fish at the end of experiment was in opposite order. The result of this experiment indicates that stocking density has significant influence on the culture potential of freshwater catfish P.pangasius.

Effect of salinity on food consumption and growth of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromi niloticus L.)

The effect of salinity (0, lO and 20%o, water temperature 28 ± l oC) on food consumption and growth of juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. (9.94 ± 0.15 g) were investigated by feeding group of 20 fish at 2% body weight day. Individual food consumption was measured using X-radiography. There were no significant differences in growth or white muscle protein concentrations among groups. During feed deprivation, weight loss was similar for fish held at O%o and 10 %o salinity, but after 7 days over 50% of the fish maintained at 20%o salinity developed lesions covering 5-25% of the body. No significant relationships were observed between individual specific growth rates and food consumption rates within the groups. The fish in all salinity groups showed a negative correlation between specific growth rate and food conversion ratio. The coefficient of variation for wet weight specific food consumption and the mean share of meal for each fish were used as a measure of social hierarchy strength. A negative correlation was observed between coefficient of variation in food consumption and mean share of meal. The social hierarchy structure was similar in all salinities; 25% of the fish were dominant (18.29% above an equal share of meal) and 30% were subordinate (16.19% below an equal share of meal) and the remainder 45% fish fed theoretical share of meal (MSM, 5.26%).