Research article

Effect of stocking density on growth and survival rate of Cirrhinus mrigala reared in cemented cisterns

¹Rehana Iqbal, *²Naeem Tariq Narejo, ¹Kashif Umer, ³Sumaira Rasul, ⁴Manzoor H and ¹Muhammad Ali

¹Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

²Department of Fresh Water Biology and Fisheries, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan

³Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

*Corresponding Author E-mail: dr_ntnarejo46@yahoo.com

Accepted 16 December 2014

Abstract

To study the effect of stocking density on growth and survival rate of Cirrhinus mrigala, an experiment of three months was conducted from March 2013 to May 2013. Three different stocking densities viz; 10, 15 and 20 Fish/cisterns were assigned as treatment I, II and III respectively. The experimental fish were fed with formulated feed with 35% protein. The result of the density experiment showed significantly (p<0.05) highest growth and survival rate in treatment II (15 fish/ aquaria). While significantly lowest growth and survival rate was recorded in treatment III. The water quality parameters and their monthly fluctuations recorded throughout the study period were found within the suitable ranges for the fish culture.

Keywords: Stocking density, Cirrhinus mrigala, growth and survival rate.