The impact of stocking density on the growth performance and survival rates of hybrid grouper juveniles (?Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ?Epinephelus lanceolatus) reared in composite tanks
Optimal stocking density is evaluated as a basic factor for the success of farming hybrid groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus? × E. lanceolatus?), especially in Vietnam, where this species contributes significantly to marine aquaculture. This study was performed from July to November 2024 to evaluate the impact of different stocking densities (individuals m?³/ind m?³), including low (6 ind m?³), medium (9 ind m?³), and high (12 ind m?³), on the culture performance of the hybrid grouper juveniles raised in composite tanks. The juveniles, with an initial size of 4.15 g and 5.82 cm, were investigated in a 60-day completely randomized experiment with three replications. They were fed a combined diet of Artemia nauplii (instar I) and commercial pellet feed during the first 10 days, followed by pellet feed only for the remainder of the trial. The results showed no significant differences in survival rate (SR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), or coefficient of variation in weight (CVW) among the different density groups (P?0.05). Nevertheless, key growth performance indicators, including mean weight (MW), mean length (ML), daily weight gain (DWG), daily length gain (DLG), specific growth rate in weight (SGRW), and specific growth rate in length (SGRL), were significantly reduced at a high stocking density (P?0.05). Additionally, there were no significant variations in rearing performance parameters between low and medium stocking densities throughout the rearing period, and a high SR range of 97.22-100% was recorded at the experimental end. The findings reliably demonstrate that hybrid grouper juveniles can be successfully reared in tank systems, with an optimal stocking density of up to 9 ind m?³.
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