Effect of the different stocking density on behavior, performance and welfare of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

Fish culture is an essential source of fish and fish products that provides a valuable source of animal protein and important micronutrients for balanced nutrition and good health (Srinivasan et al., 2015). There is an increasing demand on fish meat worldwide as it contains a healthy and high quality protein. So, fish culture showed a remarkable development in the last decades (Pavanelli et al., 2008). Tilapia is the second most essential farmed fish in the world, after carps. Tilapia culture is practiced in most of the tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. Major attention has been paid to tilapia farming in recent years (Osofero et al., 2009). Tilapia is the main fish species for culture over the world. It mostly is the choice because of its rapid growth rate, easily breeding, highly bearing to environmental cues, and high market require (El-Sayed, 2006). Stressors in Tilapia farming include improper water temperature, and overstock, incorrect feeding regime. Both types of stress result in a characteristic stress response (Barton & Iwama, 1991). In many farmed fish species, growth is negatively associated to stocking density and this is principally attributed to social interactions (Silva et al., 2000).

Growth Performance of the Mangrove Red Snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) in Freshwater Pond Comparing Two Stocking Densities and Three Feed Types

“…In this study, there was an observed reduced feeding activity of smaller sized snappers due to the larger-sized fishes' aggressive behavior, particularly at the higher density of 1 fish•m -2 and 3 fish•m -2 , which affected feed intake resulting in large size variation at harvest. Similar observations were noted on yellowtails (Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck and Schlegel) (Sakakura and Tsukamoto 2007); salmon and trout (Vollestad and Quinn 2003); tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (Fattah et al 2020); Asian sea bass (Lates calcalifer, Bloch) (Sadhu et al 2015); and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) (Mizory et al 2020). Studies mentioned in the previous sentence showed an increased aggressive behavior at higher stocking density with the highest aggression observed in the group with the largest difference in size.…”

The impact of dietary probiotic supplementation on welfare and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

“…Using sodium chloride (1 g/1 l) as protection against any fish disease 2 times weekly after altering the water of all aquaria, as well as potassium permanganate (2 mg/1 l) and Oxytetracycline (50 mg/1 kg b.wt.) for treating fish from the columnaris disease that impacts many freshwater fish throughout stressful situations ( Abdel-Fattah et al ., 2020 ).…”

Behavior and management of Carp fish: A review

“…Nowadays increasingly, there is a heightened recognition of the significance of consuming nourishing foods, and fish is steadily gaining popularity due to its distinct nutritional advantages. Fish is acknowledged as a nutritionally valuable component of the human diet, attributed to its content of both macronutrients (such as proteins, lipids, and ash) and micronutrients (including vitamins and minerals) ( Abdel Fattah et al , 2020 ). The rising demand for meeting the necessary protein production can be met through the implementation of intensive fish farming ( Olopade et al , 2015(.…”

“…Fish behaviors are complicated and frequently alter as they get bigger and react to their environments as well as other living things. Behavior was recorded by using the focal sample technique ( Altmann, 1974 ) after direct or video recording ( Abdel Fattah et al , 2020 and Said et al , 2020 ).…”