Growth and production performance of threatened snakehead fish, Channa striatus (Bloch), at different stocking densities in earthen ponds

Abstract

Production trials of threatened snakehead fish (Channa striatus) were carried out under different stocking densities in earthen ponds of Bangladesh. The average weight and length of the fingerlings during stocking was 17.63 ± 1.23 g and 13.21 ± 0.52 cm. Fingerlings were stocked at 5000 ha−1 in treatment-1 (T1), 6250 ha−1 in treatment-2 (T2) and 7500 ha−1 in treatment-3 (T3) respectively. Fish in all the experimental ponds were fed with supplementary feed comprising of fish meal (30%) and mustard oilcake (70%) at the rate of 3–6% of estimated body weight two times per day. In addition, trash fish were supplied at the rate of 2–3% of the estimated biomass on each alternate day. In situ water quality parameters of the pond were within the suitable range for fish culture. The growth and survival of fingerlings were significantly higher in T1 than in T2 and T3. The food conversion ratio was significantly lower (P<0.05) in T1 than in T2 and T3. The estimated gross and net production of fish was higher in T1, followed by T2 and T3. Overall, the highest growth, survival and production were obtained from T1. Therefore, it could be concluded that of 5000 fingerlings ha−1 is the most suitable stocking density for culturing C. striatus under a monoculture system in the earthen ponds for better production.