Impact of Stocking Density Variations on Growth, Net Production, and Feed Utilization of the Pangasius (Pangasius bocourti) Fingerlings

This research aimed to evaluate the influence of different stocking densities on the performance metrics of Pangasius bocourti during the production period. A randomized design was implemented, consisting of three treatments, each with three replicates, resulting in a total of nine experimental units, each with a capacity of 120 liters. The stocking densities tested were 25, 35, and 45 fish per tank. The experiment lasted 75 days, during which fish were fed a diet containing 30% crude protein to apparent satiation, twice daily at 09:00 and 14:00h. Water quality parameters were maintained within optimal thresholds throughout the study. The results indicated that stocking density had a significant effect (P<0.05) on key growth and productivity indicators, including final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), daily weight gain (DWG), specific growth rate (SGR), relative body weight gain (RBW), final biomass (FBM), net yield (NY), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and feed efficiency (FE). The highest performance across all these parameters was observed in the group stocked with 45 fish per tank, while no significant differences (P<0.05) were found between the groups stocked with 25 and 35 fish per tank for these variables. The survival rate remained unaffected, with 100% survival recorded in all groups. These findings suggest that a stocking density of 45 fish per tank is optimal under the conditions of this study, promoting superior growth performance, efficient feed utilization, and maximum net yield.