Fish growth performance is affected by stocking rate. Various fish stocking densities are given in literature. A study was carried out to determine the effects of different stocking densities on feed conversion efficiency (FCE), growth rate, pond water replenishment rate and survival rate of Nile tilapia fish, Oreochromis nilotica (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cichliformes Cichlidae). The study was carried out at Chibero College of Agriculture over a six-month period. In a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) fashion, 1000 uniform mono-sex fingerlings, with an average body weight of 5 g, were randomly assigned to the fish ponds at three different stocking rates: 8, 10 and 12 fish/m2. Same feed quality (CP 45, 40, 36 & 32%) was used in the three ponds and adjusted for age and numbers in each pond. Water was checked using an elbow test and replenished once palm of the hand was not visible. One-way ANOVA in Genstat 18th edition was used to analyse growth rate data. Microsoft excel was used to plot graphs. Means were separated using Fischer’s LSD at 5% significance level. The study revealed that differences in stocking densities have no significant effect on the survival rate, growth rate and feed conversion efficiency of Nile tilapia fish. However, water quality deteriorated at a faster rate in highly stocked pond. Researchers conclude that it is possible to use higher stocking densities provided feed quantity and water quality are closely monitored and adjusted accordingly. Therefore, we recommend fish farmers to take advantage of the merits brought about by higher stocking densities provided they properly monitor feed and water quality by use of such traditional methods as the elbow method.
Michael et al. (Wed,) studied this question.