Effect of stocking density on survival and growth of endangered snakehead (Channa striatus) in tank culture

Growth performance and survival of C. striatus at different stocking densities in tank were investigated. The three different stocking densities were used in this experiment, 20pcs/m2, 30 pcs/m2 and 40 pcs/m2. There were three replicates for each treatment. Fingerlings were reared for 18 weeks in tank size 2.5m x 1.3m x 0.75m and given formulated feed 43% of protein twice a day with 6% of body weight. Water quality parameters were measured every week during the experiment. Results showed that there was significant difference (P< 0.05) on growth among the treatments. The growth performance was significantly higher in T1 than in T2 and T3. However, the survival rate showed no significant difference (P< 0.05) among all the treatments. The food conversion ratio (FCR) value among the treatments was significantly lower (P<0.05) in T1 than T2 and T3. Therefore, the highest growth and FCR of C. striatus culture was with stocking densities 20 pcs/m2. Water quality measurements range for temperature, DO, pH and ammonia is 26.3-26.57 ⁰C, 5.15-5.27 mg/L, 6.32-6.92, 0.91-1.73 mg/L respectively.