Culture suitability of stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis in homestead tank: Selection of suitable stocking size

The present experiment was conducted for a period of 150 days to assess the effects of different stocking size on growth and production of stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) in three homestead cemented tanks (12×10×4 ft). Three different size groups of fish viz., 3.79±0.11, 3.09±0.13 and 2.53±0.18 cm was stocked at treatment T1, T2 and T3, respectively at a stocking density of 5000 individuals/tank each with three replications. Fish were feed twice daily with floating feed containing 35-40% protein at the rate of 15-10% for 1st 60 days, 8-6% for 2nd 60 days and 5-2.50% for rest of the culture period. The water quality parameters were within the suitable ranges for the fish culture. Mean weight gain (g) of stinging catfish was 49.03 ± 1.04, 36.72 ± 1.59 and 28.09 ± 0.41g, specific growth rate was 1.76 ± 0.02, 1.70 ± 0.04 and 1.66 ± 0.05 %/day in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Food conversion ratio was 3.45 ± 0.82, 3.31 ± 0.10 and 3.30 ± 0.06 and survival rate were 90.67 ± 1.51, 88.20 ± 2.62 and 87.56 ± 1.26% in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Higher stocking size also resulted in a significantly higher economic output in the form of benefit cost ratio (BCR) at T1 (2.13 ± 0.05) and the lowest at T3 (1.21 ± 0.03). The findings of the present study revealed that the highest weight gain and BCR was found in T1 which dictates that larger stocking size has a significant impact on better production.