Development of a compatible aquaculture technique of stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) in the southern coastal region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Aquaculture of stinging catfish is not well developed in the southern coastal region of Bangladesh because of the crevices problem and lack of suitable culture techniques. A study was conducted using bamboo splits made mats and small mesh sized net as fence to develop culture technique for a period of 167 days. Similar sized fingerlings (average weight 5.75 g) were stocked at a density of 600, 800 and 1,000 fish·40 m-2. Commercial feed was applied once a day at 17.00 to 18.00 pm. The survival varied from 68.64±5.52 to 82.89±4.42%, and the significantly highest survival was found in T600. The highest production was found in T1000 followed by T800 and T600 those were not significantly difference among the treatments. The calculation of economic efficiency showed the highest input cost in T1000, but the highest economic efficiency was found in T600 and lowest in T1000. The findings indicate that the stocking density in T600 was appropriate and encouraged to develop stinging catfish culture in the southern coastal wetlands to solve the crevices problem. Adopting this technology, local people may enhance their livelihood and increase the national fish production as well as the economy of the country.