Author(s): Md. Abdus Samad and AM Imteazzaman

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to assess the suitable stocking density of walking cat fish (Clarias batrachus Linn. 1758) for 90 days in nine earthen ponds situated at the hatchery complex, Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi. Each trial has three treatments. The fingerlings were stocked at 61750, 49400 and 37050 individual/ha in T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively. The initial weight of fingerlings was 9.2±0.05g. The diets and feeding rates were same for all treatments. The net weight gain, SGR% and survival rate were found 21.78±0.15, 1.34±0.01 and 89.75±2.40% in T₁, 28.65±0.09, 1.57±0.02 and 90±1.58% in T₂ and 29.14±0.25, 1.58±0.01 and 92±2.41%, respectively in T₃, which were significantly (P>0.05) different among the treatments except survival performance. The highest net production was recorded from T₂ (1786.28 kg/ha) where the stocking densities were 49400 individuals/ ha^-1, and significantly lowest net production in T₃ (1498.2), due to low stocking densities. The net profit (Tk./ha/90 days) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T₂ (337535). Water quality parameters such as temperature (⁰C), transparency (cm), pH, dissolved oxygen (mg l^-1) and NH₃-N (mg l^-1) were monitored fortnightly. Mean values of the water quality parameters showed no significant differences (P>0.05) among the treatments in two trials except NH­₃-N in trial one. Cost and benefit ratio were significantly highest (P<0.05) in T₃ (1:1.05) and lowest in T₁ (1:0.67). Present findings indicated that the production and net profit was significantly higher with treatment T₂ (49400 individuals/ha).

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