Effects of different stocking densities on growth and food conversion ratio of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared in plastic net cages in the Bafra-Derbent Dam Lake, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of different stocking densities on the growth, food conversion ratio and survival rate of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared in plastik net cages. Rainbow trout (mean initial weight 133.5 g) were stocked at three different fish densities, 10.8, 15.8 and 18.7 kg/m(3) (80, 120 and 140 pecimens/m(3)) so that final densities can be 20, 30 and 35 kg per cubic meter. Growth and survival were not affected by density. The specific growth rate, food conversion ratio, survival rate and condition factor varied among the groups between 0.788 and 0.826, 1.821 and 1.938, 99.58 and 100%, 1.458 and 1.798, respectively. According to this experiment results, it is conclude that rearing density can be arranged at least as 35 kg/m(3) for final density.