A comparative study on growth & economic performance of Monosex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758) fed with floating pallet type against composite culture with Indian major carps

Abstract

The Experiment was done for a period of six months with an objective to assess the effect of floating pellet type of feed on growth of Monosex Nile Tilapia in cement tank system with respect to composite culture of mixed Tilapia with IMC in traditional earthen ponds. The experiment included three treatments in triplicates viz. TO1: Catla (Catla catla), Rohu (Labeo rohita), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigal) & mixed seeds of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stocked in earthen ponds of (90 m2)area @ 25 fry/m2; TO2: Monosex Nile Tilapia stocked in cement tanks of (20 m2) area @ 50 fry/m2, floating pellet feed given@ 10% of their body weight ; and TO3: Monosex Nile Tilapia stocked in cement tanks of (10 m2) area @ 75 fry/m2 & floating pellet feed given @ 30% of their body weight. Water samples were collected from the ponds/cement tanks at 15-day intervals during morning hours and important parameters were measured following standard methods.Then the data like Average fish weight (gm), fish yield (Quintal/hectar), average net return and B: C was recorded and analysed using statistical tools like Average mean value, frequency and percentage. In the present experiment stocking of Monosex Nile Tilapia of recommended size and density in cement tank system along with following the post stocking management schedules resulting the increase in weight of Monosex Tilapia upto 475 gm where as the weight of mixed Tilapia with IMC remains 200 gm after six months of observation. Net profit of Rs. 83,800 was obtained from this technology with benefit: cost (B: C) ratio of 2.99 in(T3) against Rs. 38,600 and 2.23 respectively from farmer’s practice (T1) due to more fish growth & production. Similarly 80% increase in fish yield was also observed in this technology (18 q/ha) against farmer’s practice (10 q/ha).