The economics of retarding milkfish growth for fingerling production in brackishwater ponds

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to measure the economic viability of retarding milkfish growth (stunting) in brackishwater ponds. In the first experiment, 2-month-old fish were reared for 6 months in ponds with initial stocking densities of 15, 20, 25, and 30 fish/m 2. The second experiment had a common stocking density of 20 fish/m 2 with rearing periods of 6, 9, and 12 months. All experiments followed the lab-lab method of growing natural food plus additional substrates. Supplemental feeding using rice bran mixed with ground trash fish started 60 days after initial stocking. Under Philippine conditions stunting milkfish fingerlings at 20 fish/m 2 for 6–9 months is most cost effective; this permits the production of milkfish fingerlings for lower cost than they can be purchased.