Crowding Effect on the Survival Rate of Ornamental Fish (Swordtail)

Abstract

Survival rate and growth play an important role in rearing of fish. The experiment was conducted from July to December of 2010. The present study was carried out to find the efficiency of different stocking density in Xiphophorus helleri, Swordtail provided with the same live food (Tubifex). A total of 90 healthy fingerlings were selected and used. They were divided into three groups of 5, 10, 15 per group and bred in glass aquaria of 50 liter capacity. Three replicate tanks were made for each stocking density. During experiment the total weight of each group was taken on monthly. Mortality and survival rate were checked in each tank every day. Stocking density had a significant effect on growth and survival. But in present study there is no mortality rate in three different stocking densities. The optimum stocking density for good growth of Xiphophorus helleri fingerlings is 5 fingerling/50 liters feeding at the rate of 5% of total body weight