Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2020)

An experiment was conducted to assess the utilization of feed, nutrient retention and growth response of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in relation to feed conversion ratio (FCR) at different stocking densities (Intensive and Semi-intensive). The study was aimed to compare the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and growth performance of tilapia at different stocking densities to have better understanding on the growth trends and subsequent outcome from the given supplement. To evaluate the nutrient retention, feed conversion ratio and affiliated growth response, the study was conducted in six concrete tanks under an outdoor laboratory shed from May-July, 2018. Each treatment consists of three replications and supplied the supplementary feed at the rate of 20%, 15%, and 10% of the body weight in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd month, respectively. The weight gains of fish were 132.23±1.29 and 63.12±4.97gm for T₁ and T_2, respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) in T₁ and T₂ were 2.53±0.18 and 2.13±0.20, respectively. The specific growth rates (SGR) of tilapia in T₁ was 6.26±2.28 and 4.78±3.83 for T₂, considering the data at the beginning and the end of the production cycle, respectively. Higher total production was obtained in T₁ (1119.52 g) than T₂ (830.96 g) with 100% survival in both the treatments. The present study indicates that, the FCR was comparatively higher in T₁ than T₂ but the production performance acquired higher in intensive aquaculture having significant difference in relation to semi-intensive tank-based aquaculture system.