Effect of stocking densities of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in co-culture system with black apple snail (Pila polita)

Abstract

An experiment on co-cultured red tilapia and black apple snails was conducted to determine the appropriate red tilapia stocking densities in the integration model. The investigation included four fish stocking densities: (Control): 0 fish/m2 ; (i) 3 fish/m2 ; (ii) 6 fish/m2 , and (iii) 9 fish/m2 ; snail was stocked at 100 snail/m2 ; each treatment was triplicated. Experimental tanks contained 0.5 m3 water at a salinity of 0 ‰. After 90 days of culture, the survival rates of fish and snails were not significantly different among treatments (p>0.05). Water quality parameters were suitable for developing black apple snails and red tilapia. Moreover, at control treatment with stocking densities of 0 fish/m2 snail had significantly higher shell height (34.81±1.19 mm) and total weight (9.395±0.672 g) and lowered FCR compared to all treatments. Polyculture of black apple snails with the density of red tilapia at 3 fish/m2 or fewer could contribute to improved productivity without affecting the growth rate of snails and fish.