The Effect of Stocking Density on Fish Growth and Survival in Intensive Cultivation Systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62872/a.v1i2.528Keywords:
aquaculture, descriptive quantitative analysis, fish welfare, growth performanceAbstract
Stocking density is one of the most critical management variables in intensive aquaculture, directly influencing fish growth, survival, feed efficiency, physiological health, and economic profitability. While higher densities may maximise space utilisation, they simultaneously impose cumulative stress through water quality deterioration, competition, and physiological disruption. This study examines the effects of stocking density on growth performance and survival of cultured fish through a descriptive quantitative analysis of 31 peer-reviewed publications (2021–2023). Quantitative descriptive statistics were computed for thematic distribution, annual publication frequency, and key performance indicators including specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate, and physiological stress biomarkers. Results demonstrate that excessive stocking density reduces SGR by 8–42%, increases FCR by 10–35%, and decreases survival by 5–28% relative to optimal levels. Dissolved oxygen declines of 12–38% and total ammonia nitrogen increases of 25–80% were the primary water quality mechanisms mediating these effects. A non-linear optimal density range was identified across species: 1.8–14.6 kg/m³ for juveniles (0–28 g) and 14.6–38.4 kg/m³ for sub-adults (29–98 g). Biofloc technology mitigated 20–40% of water quality degradation at high densities but did not eliminate biological stress ceilings. This study concludes that medium stocking density consistently yields the best balance of individual growth, survival, and economic return across diverse species and production systems.
References
Abdel-Tawwab, M., Mousa, M. A. A., Mohammed, M. A., & Mohammady, E. Y. (2010). Growth performance and physiological response of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.) fed organic selenium prior to and during exposure to cadmium chloride. Aquaculture, 306(1–4), 137–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2010.05.030
Ani, J. O., Manyala, J. O., Masese, F. O., & Fitzsimmons, K. (2021). Effect of stocking density on growth performance of monosex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the aquaponic system integrated with lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Aquaculture and Fisheries, 7(5), 540–547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2021.03.002
Barton, B. A., & Iwama, G. K. (1991). Physiological changes in fish from stress in aquaculture with emphasis on the response and effects of corticosteroids. Annual Review of Fish Diseases, 1, 3–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/0959-8030(91)90019-G
Boyd, C. E. (1998). Water quality for pond aquaculture. Research and Development Series No. 43. International Center for Aquaculture and Aquatic Environments, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.
Brett, J. R. (1979). Environmental factors and growth. Fish Physiology, 8, 599–675. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1546-5098(08)60033-3
FAO. (2022). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0461en
FAO. (2024). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd0683en
Jia, R., Wang, L., Hou, Y., Feng, W., Li, B., & Zhu, J. (2022). Effects of stocking density on the growth performance, physiological parameters, redox status and lipid metabolism of Micropterus salmoides in integrated rice–fish farming systems. Antioxidants, 11(7), 1215. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11071215
Jobling, M. (1994). Fish Bioenergetics. Chapman & Hall.
Karnatak, G., Das, B., Mishal, P., Tayung, T., Kumari, S., Sarkar, U., Das, A., & Ali, Y. (2021). Impact of stocking density on growth, feed utilization and survival of cage reared minor carp, Labeo bata (Hamilton, 1822) in Maithon reservoir, India. Aquaculture, 531, 736078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.736078
Khan, M. A., Begum, R., Nielsen, R., & Hoff, A. (2021). Production risk, technical efficiency, and input use nexus: Lessons from Bangladesh aquaculture. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 52(1), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12767
Khanjani, M., Sharifinia, M., & Hajirezaee, S. (2022a). Recent progress towards the application of biofloc technology for tilapia farming. Aquaculture, 549, 738021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738021
Khanjani, M., Eslami, J., Ghaedi, G., & Sourinejad, I. (2022b). The effects of different stocking densities on nursery performance of banana shrimp (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis) reared under biofloc condition. Annals of Animal Science, 22(3), 1291–1299. https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2022-0027
Li, L., Shen, Y., Yang, W., Xu, X., & Li, J. (2021). Effect of different stocking densities on fish growth performance: A meta-analysis. Aquaculture, 544, 737152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737152
Liu, B., Liu, Y., Guo, X., Ye, J., Li, R., Tian, J., & Lu, C. (2016). Growth performance, physiology and meat quality of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) reared at different stocking densities. Aquaculture Research, 47(6), 1965–1976. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.12645
Mahmoud, H. K., Reda, F. M., Alagawany, M., & Farag, M. R. (2021). Ameliorating deleterious effects of high stocking density on Oreochromis niloticus using natural and biological feed additives. Aquaculture, 531, 735900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735900
Manduca, L. G., Da Silva, M. F., Alvarenga, É. R., Alves, G. F. O., Ferreira, N. C. A., Teixeira, E. A., Fernandes, A. F. A., Silva, M. A., & Turra, E. M. (2021). Effects of different stocking densities on Nile tilapia performance and profitability of a biofloc system with a minimum water exchange. Aquaculture, 531, 735814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735814
Mramba, R. P., & Kahindi, E. (2023). Pond water quality and its relation to fish yield and disease occurrence in small-scale aquaculture in arid areas. Heliyon, 9(6), e16753. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16753
Ni, M., Liu, M., Lou, J., Mi, G., Yuan, J., & Gu, Z. (2021). Stocking density alters growth performance, serum biochemistry, digestive enzymes, immune response, and muscle quality of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in in-pond raceway system. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 47(4), 1243–1255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-021-00948-3
Onxayvieng, K., Piria, M., Fuka, M. M., Gavrilovic, A., Liang, X., Liu, L., Tang, R., Li, L., & Li, D. (2021). High stocking density alters growth performance, blood biochemical profiles, and hepatic antioxidative capacity in gibel carp (Carassius gibelio). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 47(1), 203–212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-020-00905-6
Pottinger, T. G., & Carrick, T. R. (1999). Modification of the plasma cortisol response to stress in rainbow trout by selective breeding. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 116(1), 122–132. https://doi.org/10.1006/gcen.1999.7355
Roche, H., & Boge, G. (1996). Fish blood parameters as a potential tool for identification of stress caused by environmental factors and chemical intoxication. Marine Environmental Research, 41(1), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/0141-1136(95)00015-1
Saraiva, J. L., Rachinas-Lopes, P., & Arechavala-Lopez, P. (2022). Finding the 'golden stocking density': A balance between fish welfare and farmers' perspectives. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 930221. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.930221
Schreck, C. B., Tort, L., Farrell, A. P., & Brauner, C. J. (2016). Biology of Stress in Fish. Academic Press.
Shourbela, R. M., Khatab, S. A., Hassan, M. M., Van Doan, H., & Dawood, M. A. O. (2021). The effect of stocking density and carbon sources on the oxidative status and nonspecific immunity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared under biofloc conditions. Animals, 11(1), 184. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010184
Timmons, M. B., & Ebeling, J. M. (2013). Recirculating Aquaculture (3rd ed.). Ithaca Publishing Company LLC.
Tsalafouta, A., Papandroulakis, N., Katharios, P., & Pavlidis, M. (2014). Ontogenesis of the acute cortisol response and associated transcriptional responses during early development in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.). PLoS ONE, 9(4), e95525. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095525
Upadhyay, A., Swain, H. S., Das, B. K., Ramteke, M. H., Kumar, V., Krishna, G., Mohanty, B. P., Chadha, N. K., & Das, A. (2022). Stocking density matters in open water cage culture: Influence on growth, digestive enzymes, haemato-immuno and stress responses of Puntius sarana (Ham, 1822). Aquaculture, 546, 737445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737445
Van Rijn, J. (1996). The potential for integrated biological treatment systems in recirculating fish culture , A review. Aquaculture, 139(3–4), 181–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/0044-8486(95)01151-X
Wedemeyer, G. A. (1996). Physiology of Fish in Intensive Culture Systems. Chapman & Hall.
Wendelaar Bonga, S. E. (1997). The stress response in fish. Physiological Reviews, 77(3), 591–625. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.1997.77.3.591
Yue, K., & Shen, Y. (2021). An overview of disruptive technologies for aquaculture. Aquaculture and Fisheries, 7(6), 666–672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2021.04.009
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Samsidar Samsidar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
