STUDY ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTION, AND RETURN OF VIETNAMESE KOI (Anabas testudineus) FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT OF RURAL YOUTH IN MANIPUR, INDIA

Abstract

The climbing perch fish Anabas testudineus, locally known as Ukabi, is one of the important freshwater small indigenous fish of Manipur. It is very popular in the state for its delicious taste and flavor. A study was carried out in nine experimental ponds (each size 0.25 ha) to assess survival rate, specific growth rate, absolute growth, production, and benefit-cost ratio of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) for four months period during the year 2020. The experiment consists of three treatments T1 (P1& P2- stocking density with 80000 nos. fry/ha), T2 (P3 & P4 stocking density with 100000 nos. fry/ha), and T3 (P5 & P6 stocking density with 120000 nos. fry/ha). Water quality parameters of the test ponds were within the normal range for fish culture. As compared to T2 and T3, T1 was significantly higher in the specific growth rate (5.021±0.001%), absolute growth (113.25±0.18 g), production (1709.4±1.97 kg/0.25 ha), and benefit-cost ratio (3.28±0.19). Therefore, the present study was very important for the proper stocking density of its culture in the Manipur and NE region. It will help in the commercialization of its technique in maximization of production and income for the socio-economic upliftment of rural youth in the state.