Abstract
This experiment was conducted to study the effect of different environments on rearing and production performance of freshwater mud eel, Monopterus cuchia. The study was conducted over a period of six months from June to November 2013. Different environments such as House tanks, Earthen ditches, Plastic tank and Back yard tanks were used. Except the earthen ditch-2 (control), all environments were fed by different biological food such as small live fish (Tilapia fry), earth worms, small dead fish, snails, small frogs and chicken viscera in different amounts. 40 fishes (approximately 1kg in weight) were stocked into each of the environment. At the end of the experiment, the highest mean of final length (32.89±2.65423) and final weight (109.69±2.92777) were obtained in earthen ditch-1. The weight gain in length 17.78 ± 0.24 and in weight 85.07 ± 0.15 with 92.5% survival and production (4.07kg) were also highest in earthen ditch-1. However, earthenditch-2 which was used as control has also shown satisfactory results in terms of weight gain in length and weight 14.1 ± 0.48 and 66.66 ± 0.82 respectively with 87.5% survival. On the other hand, the lowest mean growth considering final length (28.45±2.80092) and weight (67.24±3.79328) were recorded in house tank-2 while the weight gain in length (11.86 ± 0.26) and in weigh (41.84 ± 0.59) were also observed in house tank-2 with the production of 2.02kg by 75% survival. Based on Pearson Correlation coefficient there were no significant correlations between lengths and weights of fish in different culture regimes. Significant value (P=0.000) of each of the environments implies that M. cuchia can be reared significantly except back yard tank-1 (P=0.009). But, in case of earthen ditch-1 the highest value was found in both length and weight with 5% significance level due to supplied live feeds. On the basis of the better growth, survival and production, it is suggested that the earthen ditch is one of the suitable culture environments of M. cuchia. From this study, it was also found that the live feed are suitable for obtaining highest growth performance based on the findings of plastic tank, house tanks 1 and house tank 3.
Highlights
The freshwater mud eel, Monoterus cuchia is a popular delicious fish with high market price as well as contain nutritional elements [1]
The lowest mean growth considering final length (28.45±2.80092) and weight (67.24±3.79328) were recorded in house tank-2 while the weight gain in length (11.86 ± 0.26) and in weigh (41.84 ± 0.59) were observed in house tank-2 with the production of 2.02kg by 75% survival
On the basis of the better growth, survival and production, it is suggested that the earthen ditch is one of the suitable culture environments of M. cuchia
Summary
The freshwater mud eel, Monoterus cuchia is a popular delicious fish with high market price as well as contain nutritional elements [1]. Due to its dual systems of respiration by the gills and the skin [3] this fish can thrive in various adverse conditions such as low oxygen levels, high temperature, shallow water and polluted water [2] Like other eels, this freshwater mud eel provide different ecosystem functioning which is ecologically important in food chains, acting as predators of harmful animals and different invertebrates and being consumed in its various stages by mammals, birds and small vertebrates. In Bangladesh, this freshwater mud eel is considered as an export fishery item which is playing an important role to collect huge foreign currencies as well as contribute to meet the animal protein demand [5,6]. As no technology for commercial culture and production of this fish is developed in Bangladesh while supply demand is increasing day by day, it is necessary to develop a scientific eel culture system
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.
