IMPACT OF STOCKING DENSITY AND FEEDS ON YIELD OF PANGASIUS CATFISH (Pangasius hypophthalmus) IN HYPOSALINE WATERS
The river catfish (Pangasius hypopthalamus) was introduced to Bangladesh in the 1990's from Thailand, and has since become a thriving aquaculture industry with over 3 million tones produced annually. The fish is cultured in freshwater. The aim of this investigation was to findout the best stocking density and feed for expanding the culture of Pangasius catfish to hyposaline waters in Southern Bangladesh. This region is severely impacted by overfishing, and is underutilized due to increasing susceptibility to rising sea levels linked to global climate change, and remains underutilized for fish. If Pangasius culture can be introduced to coastal regions of Bangladesh, it may significantly improve food security and the economic viability of its communities.
A research was undertaken in 12 ponds to assess the effect of commercial and formulated feed with the consideration of stocking density on growth of Thai pangus (Pangasius hypophthalmus) for a period of 6 months from 1 May to 28 October, 2015 in the coastal Patuakhali district of Bangladesh. In T1 and T2 formulated (28% CP) and commercial feed (Mega floating feed, 28% CP) were used at same stocking density (2/m2). In T2 and T3 different stocking densities (2/m2 and 3/m2) were used but feed was same (commercial feed). Fish were fed with commercial feed (28% CP) and formulated feed (28% CP) at an initial rate of 10% body weight (bw)/day down to 3% bw/day. Feed was provided twice daily at 09:00 and 14:00 h.
No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in survival rate, weight gain, SGR, feed conversion ratio (FCR), yield, and benefit cost ratio (BCR) among the treatments. Significantly (P>0.05) higher production were observed in T3 (23,264 kg/ha) followed by T1 (15,538 kg/ha) and T2 (15,622 kg/ha). Significantly higher (P>0.05) net profit was found in T1 (11,438 US$/hec.) than in T2 (8,275 US$/hec.). Total cost was higher in T3 than in T2 but higher net profit was observe in T3 (12,104 US$/hec) than in T2 (8,275 US$/hec). But the cost of formulated feed is lower than commercial feed as net profit is in formulated feed, so formulated feed is best for better economic benefit. Due to higher net profit in high stocking density (3/m2) than low stocking (2/m2), high stocking density with formulated feed is recommended for profitable pangas culture. Adoption of Pangasius culture in coastal regions can provide an alternative livelihood for communities impacted by water salinization resulting from global warming.