The effects of different stocking densities and feed types on frogs’ growth and survival rates (Rana tigerina Dubois, 1981) reared in composite tanks

Abstract

We performed two independent experiments, each with a completely random design in three repetitions and lasting 80 days, on the growth and survival of the artificially reared Thailand frog (Rana tigerina Dubois, 1981). Experiment 1 compared three stocking densities: 75 (D75), 100 (D100), and 125 (D125) individuals m−2. Experiment 2 used a stocking density of 100 individuals m−2 to study the effects of different feed types: frog feed, snakehead fish feed, catfish feed, and tilapia feed. Daily weight gain (DWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) did not differ between D75, D100, and D125, but these parameters tended to be higher at D100. At the end of the experiment, the average final weight and survival rate in D75 (204.59 ± 35.4 g and 79.67 ± 4.04%) and D100 (215.05 ± 38.65 g and 79.00 ± 2.75%) were not different, but both were significantly higher than those in D125 (184.64 ± 37.75 g and 57.00 ± 6.56%). In addition, frogs fed snakehead fish feed showed the highest DWG, SGR, and yield and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR), followed by frogs given frog feed, tilapia feed, and catfish feed, which showed decreasing yields and increasing FCR. In conclusion, a stocking density of 100 individuals m−2 using snakehead fish feed is suitable for rearing the Thailand frog under our experimental conditions.