Effects of duration of aeration on the production of fry in indoor hatchery

Abstract

The effect of four duration of aeration on the production of Heterobranchus bidorsalis fry at Post-yolk absorbtion stage were examined during the first phase of exogenous feeding. The duration of aeration treatments were: no aeration (0 hours);aeration for 3 hours (0800 – 1100); aeration for 6 hours (0800 – 1400) and aeration for 12 hours (0800 – 2000). Average final weight of fish was significantly affected by duration of aeration. Relative to initial body weight, fry growth in non-aerated plastic tanks was lower in body weight (78.66mg) than that in aerated plastic tanks for 3, 6 or 12hours (83.40mg; 83.90mg and 99.59mg) (P<0.05). Fry production in 6 hours aerated plastic tanks was higher than 0, 3 and 12 hours. The survival rate increased with increasing duration of aeration up to 6 hours duration and then decreased as duration of aeration increased further, although survival was not significantly different among aeration treatments. Based on the results, an intermediate duration of aeration between 6 hours and 12 hours per day is ideal for adequate production of Heterobranchus bidorsalis fry in in-door hatchery.
Key words: Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Duration, Aeration, production.