Cite as: [Author(s), 2000. Title.] In: K. McElwee, D. Burke, M. Niles, X. Cummings, and H. Egna (Editors), Seventeenth Annual Technical Report. Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture CRSP, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, [pp. ___.]

Culture of Mixed-Sex Nile Tilapia with Predatory Snakehead

Ninth Work Plan, New Aquaculture Systems/New Species Research 2 (9NS2)
Abstract

C. Kwei Lin, Yang Yi, and Chumpol S.
Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management Program
Asian Institute of Technology
Pathum Thani, Thailand

James S. Diana
School of Natural Resources and Environment
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Abstract

An experiment was begun in eighteen 200-m² earthen ponds at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, during May and will terminate in October 1999. This experiment will assess the efficiency of snakehead (Channa striata) in controlling overpopulation of mixed-sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in ponds. Also, the growth and production characteristics of Nile tilapia in monoculture and polyculture with snakehead will be analyzed. The six treatments were: (A) monoculture of sex-reversed tilapia; (B) monoculture of mixed-sex tilapia; (C) polyculture of mixed-six tilapia and snakehead at 10:1 ratio; (D) polyculture of mixed-six tilapia and snakehead at 20:1 ratio; (E) polyculture of mixed-six tilapia and snakehead at 40:1 ratio; and (F) polyculture of mixed-six tilapia and snakehead at 80:1 ratio. All ponds are fertilized weekly with urea and TSP at rates of 28 kg N and 7 kg P ha^-1 wk^-1. Sex-reversed all-male and mixed-sex Nile tilapia were stocked at 2 fish m^-2 at sizes of 42.3 ± 1.0 g and 31.0 ± 0.5 g, respectively. Fish growth performance will be evaluated for different treatments. Partial budget analysis will be conducted to estimate input costs and fish value.