Effects of Stocking Density on Growth and Muscular Composition in Amur Sturgeon Acipenser schrenckii in Pond Culture

The effects of stocking density on growth and muscular composition in Amur sturgeon Acipenser schrenckii in pond-culture were studied at water temperature of 24.4℃~19.2℃ by an enclosure-experimental method. Juvenile Amur sturgeon with initial body weight of(54.86±10.19)g were reared in a 16 m2 enclosure made of plastic disposed in an earthern pond at an initial stocking density of 2000 ind./667m2, 3000 ind./667m2, 4000 ind./667m2, or 5000 ind./667m2 for 46 days. The results showed that there were significant decrease in weight increment, specific growth rate, weight gain rate, and survival rate and increase in the food conversion ratio in the juveniles with increasing stocking density(P0.05). The maximal yield per unit area [(352.27±22.38)kg/667m2] was found at a stock density of 4000 ind. /667m2. At the end of the experiment, the crude protein content and crude lipid content were found to be significant decreased(P0.05) in muscles, without significant difference in moisture and ash content(P0.05). It is suggested that3000~4000 ind./667m2 be the optimal stocking density for Amur sturgeon weighting about 50 g in pond culture.