Comparison of growth parameters of tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes from two culture systems in China

Abstract

Growth parameters, such as body weight (BW), viscerosomatic (VSI), hepatosomatic (HSI), and gonadosomatic (GSI), of the tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes reared in two culture systems, open-indoor combination aquaculture system (OIS) and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) were compared in the present study. At the end of the trial, the tiger puffers in RAS (BW: 878.06±134.61g; GSI: 2.78±0.34%; VSI: 14.33±2.00%; HSI: 9.11±1.63%) obtained higher BW and GSI, but lower VSI and HSI than those reared in OIS (BW: 771.10±170.49g; GSI: 0.44±0.26%; VSI: 18.50±2.98%; HSI: 13.64±2.43%) (P<0.05). Based on the data, slaughter ratio (SR) of the fish in RAS (85.19±1.82%) was significantly higher than that reared in OIS (81.57±3.06%) (P<0.05). Moreover, the male fish grew better than the female in OIS, however the trend was reverse in RAS. Fishes reared in RAS had already entered puberty after ~500days culture. Given the high economic value of soft roe (gonad of male tiger puffer), these results inspired us in carrying out monosex culture to promote the development of tiger puffer industry. Statement of relevanceThis study inspired us in monosex culture of tiger puffer.