Effects of initial stocking density on weaning and growth of juvenile yellowcheek carp (Elopichthys bambusa R.)

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of initial stocking density on the weaning and growth of juvenile yellowcheek carp(Elopichthys bambusa R.).Five groups were assigned in triplicate in the net cages(1.0m×1.0m×1.0m)with different initial stocking densities of 100ind/m3(D1),300ind/m3(D2),500ind/m3(D3),700ind/m3(D4)and 900ind/m3(D5).The experiment was carried out for 28days.The results showed that MR,CV decreased and then increased with the increasing of initial stocking density.CV in D1,D2,D5was significantly higher than that in D3,D4.CR increased with the increasing of initial rearing density.WSR with the increasing of initial rearing density firstly increased and then decreased.Relationship between WSR and stocking density based on quadratic regression analysis was:Y=-1.101 X2+13.590 X+44.093,correlation coefficient R2=0.931,the optimum initial stocking density was 617ind/m3.SGR decreased with the increasing initial stocking density.It was concluded that the optimal initial stocking density of net cage for the weaning of juvenile yellowcheek carp was 500-700ind/m3 based on WSR,weaning efficiency and manipulation strength.