Effects of stocking density and application of chicken manure and cowdung on the growth of Goldfish (Carassius auratus) post-larvae

Abstract

Determination of low cost feeds and optimum stocking density for semi-intensive goldfish rearing systems is vital for profit maximization. The effects of different ratios of chicken manure and cowdung or stocking density (SD), on the growth and survival of goldfish (iCarassius auratus) post-larvae were studied during Day 0 to Day 21 period. In Experiment 1, each of the four treatments: T,= Control (Artemia); T2 = chicken manure and cowdung (1:1); T3= chicken manure and cowdung (3:1); and T4= chicken manure were triplicated in outdoor cement tanks (1 m2). Liveweight, Total Length, Growth Rate, Specific Growth Rate and Condition Factor were determined by taking random samples of post-larvae (PL) from each replicate on Day 6 ,1 1 ,1 6 and 21. Growth of PL was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 and the control (T,). Organic manure was found to be more profitable than Artemia due to the high cost. In experiment II, PL were stocked at five different stocking densities 150,350, 500,650 and 800 /m2 Growth and survival were found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in 150 PL/m2. Results indicated that SD had a negative effect on the growth and survival of goldfish PL. This study could be an advantage in planning profit-maximizing farming strategies for goldfish PL