Nursery Rearing of Endangered Mangrove Fish Datnioides polota : Effects of Stocking Density on Growth and Survival

ABSTRACT The silver tigerfish ( Datnioides polota ) is an endangered species with high ecological and ornamental value, yet its nursery‐rearing techniques remain underdeveloped, posing a significant challenge for conservation and sustainable aquaculture. The current investigation depicts nursery‐rearing techniques of this fish at varying stocking densities. The experiment was designed with three stocking densities, namely, T 1 , T 2 and T 3 , at 2.47, 3.70 and 4.94 fry m −3 , respectively, in nine ponds, each with a volume of 81 m 3 . After weekly assessments, we found that all water quality measurements were within the ideal range and that different stocking densities substantially ( p < 0.001) affected some of these parameters (transparency, DO, total alkalinity). Among the exhibited growth parameters, final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG) and average daily growth (ADG) in T 1 were significantly higher ( p = 0.005, p = 0.008 and p = 0.008, respectively) than those in T 2 and T 3 . Regarding percentage weight gain (PWG) and specific growth rates (SGR), there was no significant difference among the treatments ( p = 0.079 and p = 0.089, respectively). The feed conversion ratios (FCRs) of the three treatments were also statistically affected by stocking densities ( p < 0.001), with T 1 achieving the lowest FCR compared to T 2 and T 3 . The survival rate was also significantly affected by varying stocking density ( p < 0.001), reaching its highest at T 1 . Total production across densities did not differ significantly ( p = 0.086). Thus, a stocking density of 2.47 fries m −3 is recommended for optimal growth, survival and feed efficiency in D. polota nursery rearing, providing a foundation for sustainable aquaculture and conservation practices within this context.