Effect of stocking densities in floating cages on growth indicators and chemical composition of common carp muscles Cyprinus carpio L.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54174/bjm78b52Keywords:
Stocking density, Floating cages, Common carp, Growth performance, FCR, Chemical analysisAbstract
The effects of different rearing densities of common carp Cyprinus carpio were studied to determine the optimal stocking density in the Euphrates River in Thi-Qar Governorate, southern Iraq, coordinates 46°18'13.09"E 31° 0'42.14"N, during a period of 180 days from October 2025 to March 2026, with an average initial weight of 65.6 g, with two replicates for each treatment. The experiment included three stocking densities: 31, 41, and 52 fish/m³ (750, 1000, and 1250 fish for treatments T1, T2, and T3, respectively). The results showed significant differences (p≤0.05) between treatments in growth indicators, with treatment T1 exhibiting the highest final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate. The highest feed conversion ratio was recorded in T3 and the lowest in T1. Fish in treatment T1 had significantly higher feed conversion efficiency than those in treatments T2 and T3, and protein efficiency ratios were significantly higher in treatment T1 compared to treatments T2 and T3. No significant differences were observed in the chemical composition of protein, moisture, ash, and carbohydrates. However, significant differences were found in fat content, which was higher in T3 compared to T1 and T2.
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