Stocking Density and its Effect on Growth Parameters of Catfish Rita rita (Hamilton) Reared in Cemented Cisterns

The present paper deals with stocking density and its effect on growth parameters of R. rita reared in cemented cisterns during June to August 2016. Three stocking densities with 10, 20 and 30 fish/1.25m(2) cemented cisterns were maintained and growth of fish was observed. Significantly highest growth in terms of weight gain was recorded with density of 20 fish /cistern (26.4 g) as compared with cistern containing 10 fish (11.7 g) or 30 fish/cistern (8.8 g). The survival and specific growth rates were also found highest in cistern II with 20 fish (100% and 0.48) followed by cistern I with 10 fish (90% and 0.36). While significantly (p<0.05) lowest survival rate and SGR was recorded (80% and 0.31) for cistern III. It was concluded that the suitable stocking density 20 fish/m(2) (II) exhibited significantly higher growth of Rita rita in cemented cisterns among the treatment. The temperature 28.1-30.7 degrees C, pH 7.0-7.60, DO 3.9-4.9 (mg/L), alkalinity 155-175 (mg/L), ammonia 0.37-0.52 (mg/L) and nitrate 0.168-0.174 (mg/L) were found to provide optimum condition to the fish.