Comparison of growth performance, survival rate and economic efficiency of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) intensively cultured in earthen ponds with high densities

This trial aimed to assess the impacts of high stocking densities on growth performance, survival rate and economic efficiency of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) intensively cultured in earthen ponds. The experiment was designed with three treatments of stocking density of 6, 8 and 10 fish m−2. Each treatment was replicated three times. Fish with an initial length of 11.7 ± 0.5 cm and weight of 22.1 ± 1.3 g was stocked in earthen ponds with area of 1000 m2 and water depth of 2.0 m. The fish was fed with pelleted feed containing 43–44% crude protein. Water quality parameters including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, transparency and ammonia concentration were measured once a week. The fish were sampled for length and weight measurement at every 30-day interval. Costs were recorded for economic efficiency estimation. Results of the study showed that the water quality parameters were in suitable ranges for the growth and development of Asian seabass. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between means of final length, survival rate and feed conversion ratio of the treatments. However, the growth in final weight and daily weight gain of the fish with the stocking of 6 fish m−2 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the stocking of 10 fish m−2. The benefit of the treatments of 8 and 10 fish m−2 were higher compared to the treatment of 6 fish m−2 but the highest capital efficiency was recorded for the treatment of 6 fish m−2. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.