Culture of Asian Seabass ( <i>Lates calcarifer</i> , Bloch 1790) at Floating Net Cages in Lotic Water Body in the South‐West Region of Bangladesh

The present investigation was carried out in the Bhairab River, situated in the southwestern part of Bangladesh, with the aim of evaluating the impact of stocking densities on the growth performance and survival rate of Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) in floating cages. In addition, the study aimed to determine the optimal stocking density for cage farming. Seabass fry, measuring an average length of 18.7 ± 2.19 cm and weighing 69.57 ± 4.86 g, were placed in nine cages. The cages were made of knotless polythene nylon net with a mesh size of 01 cm and had dimensions of 3.5 × 3 × 1.5 m. The fry were stocked at three different densities: 3, 6, and 9 individuals/m 3 . Their growth performance was observed every 2 weeks for a period of 6 months. The fry were nourished with live fish, equivalent to 10%‐5% of their body weight. After a period of 180 days in a grow‐out culture, the seabass fry achieved a length of 32.43 ± 0.57 cm and a weight of 504.56 ± 89.95 g when there were 3 individuals/m 3 . At a density of 6 individuals/m 3 , the seabass fry had a length of 29.94 ± 0.58 cm and a weight of 447.78 ± 52.76 g. Finally, at a density of 9 individuals/m 3 , the seabass fry had a length of 26.50 ± 0.69 cm and a weight of 331.49 ± 73.39 g. The growth exhibited allometric patterns and was not influenced by the stocking density. The survival rate was relatively greater at lower (97%) and moderate (95%) stocking levels; however, the production was significantly ( p &lt; 0.05) higher at the moderate stocking density. Lower and moderate stocking densities resulted in increased weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR). The findings of the current investigation suggest that a density of 6 individuals per cubic meter of L. calcarifer is suitable for cage culture in flowing water environments.