Growth Performance and Body Composition of Aspikutum: A New Hybrid of Asp, Leuciscus aspius ♀, × Caspian Kutum, Rutilus frisii ♂, Cultured under Different Stocking Densities in Circular Concrete Tanks

Abstract

AbstractThe first step for rearing the newly produced hybrid of Asp, Leuciscus aspius ♀, × Caspian Kutum, Rutilus frisii ♂ (so‐called “Aspikutum”) is to understand essential production requirements such as stocking density. For this purpose, fish (60.4 g) were held at five stocking densities of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 kg/m3 in circular concrete tanks (603 L) for a period of 56 d. The culture system was maintained at natural temperature and photoperiod. Fish were fed thrice a day using a commercial diet. At the end of the trial, growth indices, including final mean weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate, were significantly higher at the density of 10 kg/m3 compared with 2 kg/m3 (P< 0.05). Feed intake was significantly greater at 10 kg/m3 compared with 2 kg/m3 (P< 0.05); however, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value, and hepatosomatic index remained unchanged among the stocking densities (P> 0.05). Increased stocking density caused significant increase in body protein and fat contents (P< 0.05). Condition factor in higher densities (8 and 10 kg/m3) was significantly higher compared with 2 kg/m3 (P< 0.05). The results indicated that rearing this hybrid in the studied weight range at high density of 10 kg/m3 or more is possible without negative impacts on growth performance and body composition.