Abstract

Abstract.-A three month long experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density on the growth and survival of indigenous catfish Heteropneustes fossilis in cemented cisterns (each of 1.25 m 2 size) situated by the side of Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agriculture University, Mymenisingh. Water quality parameters (temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen) were recorded throughout the study period and found within the suitable range. Three stocking densities used were 8, 16 and 24 fishes/m 2 and designated as Treatment-I, Treatment-II and Treatment-III, respectively. Each treatment had two replicates. All the fish were of same age group having mean length and weight of 5.2±0.28 cm and 9.4±0.58 g, respectively. Experimental fish were fed with formulated pelleted feed (30% protein), containing wheat bran, rice bran, mustard oil cake and fish meal. The result of study showed that the fish in treatment-I stocked at the rate of 8 fish/m 3 significantly (P<0.05) showed increase in individual length and weight followed by treatment-II and III. There was significant (P<0.05) variation among the survival rates of fish which ranged between 100 and 80%. The net production in different treatment were 0.206, 0.38 and 0.406 kg/m 3 /90 days for treatment-I, II and III, respectively. The result of the present study indicated that the best individual growth of H. fossilis was obtained at a density of 8 fish/m 3 but the total production was obtained at a stocking density of 24 fish/m 3 in cemented cistern fed with formulated feed.