Growth, Survival and Fecundity in Ornamental Fish, Betta splendens (Regan) as a Function of Stocking Density
Growth, Survival and Fecundity in Ornamental Fish, Betta splendens (Regan) as a Function of Stocking Density
Date
2006
Authors
James, R
Sampath, K
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Fisheries Technologists (India)Cochin
Abstract
Effects of stocking density (10,25,50,100 and 150 fish/501 ofwater) on growth, survival
and fecundity were studied in Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens. An increase in stocking
density reduced the growth, survival and fecundity in B. splendens. A significant (P < 0.05)
negative correlatibyi was obtained between density and feeding parameters or gonad weight
or fecundity in B. splendens. Animals reared in higher densities elicited poor gonad development
and it severely affected egg production and hatching. Accumulation of more ammonia and
carbon dioxide and oxygen depletion with increase in stocking density could have reduced
the feed consumption and growth which in turn affected the gonad development and fecundity
in female B. splendens. However, fish reared in 10 and 25D groups could withstand ammonia
stress of 1.01 mg l1 without any ill effect on survival, growth, gonad development and fecundity.
Fish reared in 10 D group displayed better rates of feeding and growth at early rearing period
than those in 25D group. However, fish reared in 25D group showed significantly higher growth
rate (t=2.71; P<0.05) and growth efficiency (t=2.67; P<0.05) than fish reared in 10D group and
also in higher density groups when fish attained sexual maturity on day 42. Although fish
reared in 10D laid more eggs per female B. splendens than 25D group, the total number of egg
production was higher in 25D than 10D group. The percentage of egg hatchability between
10D and 25D groups did not show significant (P<0.05) difference between them. Fish reared in
25D group exhibited 100% survival like 10 D group. Based on the survival, growth rate, total
number of egg production, and egg hatching rate, fish reared in 25D group is economically
better than 10 D or higher than 25D groups and hence 25 fish 50 11 water is considered as
optimum density.
Description
Keywords
Density, growth, survival, ammonia, fecundity, Betta splendens
Citation
Fishery Techn 43(2):212-217