Stocking density of “Pseudoplatystoma” spp. surubim reared in cages

Abstract

This work aimed to determine the effect of stocking density on the biomass production, final weight, feed conversion and survival rate of Pseudoplatystoma spp. surubim reared in floating net cages under three initial stocking densities. Twelve floating net cages located in a 47-ha reservoir were stocked with 35, 70 and 105 fish/m3 averaging 50 g from April to August 1999. At the end of the experimental period (105 days), the final average weights of the treatments were 197.4, 171.15, and 161.45 g, respectively. The highest final mean weight was reached at the lowest initial density. No significant effects of initial stocking density were observed on survival (95.97, 97.80 and 96.73%, respectively) and feed conversion rates (1.49; 1.60 e 1.56; respectively). The final biomass of 87.93, 157.67, and 220.46 kg were affected by the initial stocking density. At higher storage densities, the individual weight gain decreased, but the final biomass increased significantly.