Abstract
Cage culture is one of the important methods for intensive culture of tilapia in large water impoundments. But,information related to growth performance of androgen-treated monosex tilapia population during cage culture underthe ecological conditions of India is limited. The aim of this study was to compare the growth potential of control,mixed-sex and androgen-treated, monosex tilapia in confined environment of cages. Control and hormone treated fishwere stocked separately in mesh cages at a density of 50 fry / m3 and it was found that the androgen treated monosexfish grew significantly larger than their control mixed-sex counterparts. The monosex population showed a significantlyhigher weight, length, depth, specific growth rate, daily weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and body protein contentthan the mixed-sex tilapia population. Thus, culture of hormone treated monosex tilapia in cages can be consideredideal for augmented production of the fish under Indian context.
Highlights
The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a widely cultured species because it grows and reproduces in a wide range of environmental conditions and tolerates stress induced by handling (Tsadik and Bart 2007)
The propagation potentiality of sex-reversed tilapia population under cage culture system must be clearly documented. Considering these aspects, the present study aims to evaluate the comparative growth performance of the control mixed-sex and androgen treated monosex tilapia in cage culture system under the climatic and ecological conditions prevailing in the Gangetic plains of West Bengal, India
The high survival percentage of fish for both the mixed-sex and monosex categories may be attributed to the protected environment of cages (Dan and Little 2000) and indicates that hormone treatment has no adverse effect on general fish health
Summary
The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a widely cultured species because it grows and reproduces in a wide range of environmental conditions and tolerates stress induced by handling (Tsadik and Bart 2007). The efficiency of reproduction in tilapia has paradoxical consequences This aptitude allows easy and rapid propagation of the fish in various environmental conditions, but can as well be a source of problem. The predominant advantage of monosex culture can be achieved in such aquaculture situations where one sex displays marked growth superiority, as in tilapia (Beardmore et al 2001).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
