The effect of stocking density on yield, growth, and survival of Asian river catfish (Pangasius bocourti Sauvage, 1880) cultured in cages

摘要

Asian river catfish (Pangasius bocourti Sauvage, 1880) were cultured at five different stocking densities in cages (submerged volume 1 m(3)) suspended in a dugout pond from August to November 2009. Pangasius bocourti fingerlings (mean weight 27.09 +/- A 0.54 g) were stocked at densities of 12, 25, 50, 100, and 200 fish m(-3). At the end of 3 months, the harvest weights (gross yields) were, respectively, 2.05 +/- A 0.30, 5.20 +/- A 0.31, 10.60 +/- A 0.42, 19.98 +/- A 0.78, and 42.37 +/- A 0.41 kg m(-3). The mean fish weights among the stocking densities of 25, 50, 100, and 200 fish m(-3) were not significantly different, but were significantly higher than that of the 12 fish m(-3) density. The specific growth rates among high stocking densities of 50, 100, and 200 fish m(-3) were not significantly different; however, they were significantly higher than those of the low stocking densities of 12 and 25 fish m(-3). Asian river catfish performed poorly at the lowest density. The results indicate an initial lower stocking threshold for Asian river catfish of above 5.20 kg m(-3). The Asian river catfish cultured in small cages placed in a pond reached the desirable market size (> 200 g) within a 90-day grow-out period. The results show that the maximum yield for Asian river catfish during a 3-month production cycle was not reached.