Assessment of Growth Performance and Survivability of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) under Different Stocking Densities in Brackish Water Ponds of South-West Coast of Bangladesh

This study was conducted to assess the growth and survival of seabass (Lates calcarifer Bloch, 1790) fry reared in brackish water ponds of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Sub-Station, Khepupara, Patuakhali from August 2021 to March 2022. Nine ponds each containing 40 decimals (1614.4 m²) were used in this experiment. Three stocking densities- 10, 15 and 20 fish/decimal (40.46 m²) were used, designated as T₁, T₂ and T₃ respectively having three replications for each. The result showed that fish in T₁ stocked with the lowest stocking density (10 fish/decimal) resulted in the best individual weight gain (391.07±173.20g). The specific growth rate (1.25±0.21gm/day), survival rate (59.67±1.53%) and net weight gain (391.07±173.20) obtained from T₁ were significantly higher than T₃ and T₂. Production was found higher in T₂ than other two treatments. Physico-chemical parameters of brackish water ponds were found to be within acceptable limits among three treatments throughout the study period. The study revealed that seabass stocked with lower stocking densities in Brackish water ponds resulted better growth performance and survival rate.