Influence of different stocking density on the growth, feed efficiency, and survival of Majalaya common carp ( Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758).

Background: Stocking density is key to successful Majalaya common carp ( Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758) culture which is a valuable fish culture in Indonesia.  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the growth statues, feed utilization, and survival rate of Majalaya common carp (reared with different stocking density.
Methods: In total, 1400 fish were randomly distributed into four replicates of four different groups of stocking density: 50, 75, 100, and 125 fish m -3. All fish were fed using a satiation method, three times per day with commercial diet for 12 weeks. At the end of the trial week, growth, feed utilization, and survival were determined. Water quality measures, such as dissolved oxygen (mg L -1), temperature (°C), pH, NH 3 (mg L -1), and NO 2 (mg L -1) were also measured once a week during the trial.
Results: Similar weight gain and SGR were found in Majalaya common carp reared at stocking densities of 50 to 100 fish m 3. However, 125 fish m -3 density may reduce weight gain and SGR. The average weekly and daily weight gain of Majalaya common carp significantly increased when reared from 50 to 100 fish m -3 and remained constant at 125 fish m -3 density. Meanwhile, feed conversion ratio and survival of Majalaya common carp were not affected by any stocking density. Conclusions: A stocking density of 100 fish m -3 exhibited significantly higher growth of Majalaya common carp in hapa net ponds among the treatment. Temperature ranges of 29.20-33.38°C, pH 7.47-8.22, DO 4.76-7.55 (mg L -1), NH 3 0-0.5 mg L -1, and NO 2 0-1 mg L -1 were found to provide optimum condition to the fish.

Introduction

One of the important factors related to fish culture productivity is stocking density [1– 4]. Past research has found that growth, feed efficiency and survival can be optimized by considering stocking density in fish culture operations [5– 7]. Besides stocking density, water quality is another factor that must be taken into consideration. Water quality is associated with stocking density in term of the availability of food and condition of the environment in fish culture [8]. Breeding of the Majalaya common carp ( Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758) is the result of selection conducted in Indonesia [9]. The Majalaya carp belongs to the Cyprinidae family and is an important fish to be cultured in Indonesia [10]. Though several research studies regarding stocking density in some fish have been conducted [2, 3, 11– 13], the influence of different stocking densities on the growth, feed efficiency, and survival of the Majalaya common carp in hapa fish ponds has never been determined. Thus, the purpose of the research was to evaluate the growth statues, feed efficiency, and survival rate of the Majalaya common carp, reared at different socking density, viz: 50, 75, 100, and 125 fish m −3 in the hapa fish pond.

Methods

Carp culture conditions

In total, 1400 Majalaya common carp (mean initial weight ±26.22 g, random sex) were distributed into four groups with four replications each groups and reared with different stocking densities: 50, 75, 100, and 125 fish m −3 in hapa fish ponds (1 x 1 x 1.2 m) for 12 weeks. During the trial, all fish were fed with a commercially available diet (PT Japfa Comfeed, No. reg. KKP RI IN 682072012, containing 30% protein, 5.5% fat, and 5% fibre). All fish were fed to satiation three times per day. At the end of the trial, growth parameters for each overall hapa fish pond, such as final weight, weight gain, average weekly weight gain (AWG), daily weight gain (DWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined using an equation previously described by Abdel-Tawwab et al. [14], Muchlisin et al. [15], Tran-Ngoc et al., [16] Asriqah et al. [17]. Meanwhile, survival was calculated with equation as used by Nugroho et al. [18].

Measuring water quality

Water quality, such as dissolved oxygen (DO) (mg L -1) and temperature (°C) were assessed using a digital water checker (YSI™ Model 550A DO Meter; Fisher Scientific, USA). The pH was measured with a pH-meter (CyberScan pH 11; EuTech Instruments, Singapore), while NH 3 (mg L -1), and NO 2 (mg L -1) were detected using a Sera test kit (Sera GmbH D52518, Heinsberg, Germany). All water quality parameter were measured once a week during the trial.

Statistical analysis

Data were analysed using SPSS 22 (SPSS, Inc., USA). Growth, FCR, and survival were subjected to analysis of variance, followed by Duncan post hoc to evaluate significant differences among the groups. Water quality was descriptively analysed. All significant tests were at P<0.05.

Results

Effect of stocking density

Present study showed that stocking density from 50 to 100 fish m 3 of Majalaya common carp in the hapa fish pond resulted in similar weight gain and SGR. However, stocking density higher than 100 fish m -3 may reduce weight gain and SGR. The AWG and DWG of Majalaya common carp showed a significantly increase trend when reared from 50 to 100 fish m -3 and remained constant at 125 fish m -3 density. Meanwhile, FCR and survival were not affected by any stocking density ( Table 1; raw data available on OSF [19]). The high density (100 fish m −3) could be more profitable for the Majalaya common carp farms in Indonesia in terms of reduced land cost and facilities.

Table 1.

Mean ± standard error of growth statues and feed utilization of Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758 Majalaya reared with different stocking density for 12 weeks in hapa fish ponds.

Parameters	Stocking density (fish m -3)
	50	75	100	125
Initial weight (g)	1310±0 [a]	1970±0 [b]	2620±0 [c]	3280±0 [d]
Final weight (g)	6205.00± 76.84 [a]	8467.50±347.16 [b]	11315.00±324.17 [c]	12892.50±669.19 [d]
Weight gain (g)	99.19 ±3.98 [a]	87.03±4.77 [ab]	88.39±3.35 [ab]	79.43±5.43 [b]
AWG (g week -1)	408.25±14.73 [a]	541.50±28.99 [b]	724.75±26.92 [c]	801.00±55.87 [c]
DWG (g day -1)	58.25±2.28 [a]	77.25±3.94 [b]	103.50±3.96 [c]	114.25±8.09 [c]
SGR (% day -1)	1.86±0.035 [a]	1.73±0.052 [ab]	1.75±0.034 [ab]	1.65±0.061 [b]
FCR	0.66±0.019 [a]	0.66±0.010 [a]	0.68±0.020 [a]	0.70±0.026 [a]
Survival (%)	99.00±0.57 [a]	99.66±0.33 [a]	98.75±0.25 [a]	97.60±0.65 [a]

Different superscript letters ( a, b, c, d) indicate significantly different means for different group of diets at P<0.05. Initial and final weights are the biomass weights.

Effect of density on water parameters

Water parameters showed a suitable condition for culturing Majalaya common carp at different stocking density up to 125 fish m -3. The temperature ranged 29.20–33.38°C, pH range of 7.47–8.22, DO of 4.76–7.55 mg L -1, NH 3 0–0.5 mg L -1, and NO 2 0–1 mg L -1, respectively ( Table 2). The data showing the growth parameters and water quality parameters can be seen on OSF [19].

Table 2.

Mean ± standard error of water quality during the stocking density trial of Majalaya Common carp reared in hapa fish ponds for 12 weeks.

Parameters	Stocking density (fish m -3)				Value
	50	75	100	125	Minimum	Maximum
DO (mg L -1)	6.07±0.13	6.07±0.13	6.07±0.13	6.07±0.13	4.76	7.55
Temperature (°C)	30.38± 0.16	30.38±0.16	30.38±0.16	30.38±0.16	29.20	33.80
pH	7.84 ±0.02	7.84 ±0.02	7.84 ±0.02	7.84 ±0.02	7.47	8.22
NH 3 (mg L -1)	0.08±0.02	0.08±0.02	0.08±0.02	0.08±0.02	0	0.50
NO 2 (mg L -1)	0.12±0.04	0.12±0.04	0.12±0.04	0.12±0.04	0	1.00

Discussion

Previous research indicated that high growth rates, high levels of survival and better FCR may be due to low feed competition and density [2, 20, 21]. The present study stated that a stocking density up to 100 fish m -3 resulted in similar weight gain and SGR, but this was reduced at the highest density (125 fish m -3). Meanwhile, FCR and survival were not affected by any stocking density. This finding is similar to previous research that survival and growth of fish were independent of the stocking density [22, 23]. In addition, the growth and survival of fish in practical culture may also depend on the species. For example, the survival and growth rate of the catfish Rita rita, at different densities of 10, 20 and 30 fish per cistern, resulted in the highest survival and SGR in 20 fish per cistern. Further, no competition for feed and space observed at low density culture of this fish [24]. In contrast, a prior study revealed that survival rate in aquatic animals was negatively correlated with stocking which could be due to high competition and space for the fish [2].

Excess feed remaining in the pond, as well as stocking density, might change the water quality. In this research, the water quality parameters during the trials showed no effects on the growth and survival of fish culture during the trial. The present findings are concomitant with those of previous studies, which found that water quality measures such as temperature, DO, pH, NO 2 and NH 3 measured in similar current experimental setups are all within the acceptable value for culturing fin fish in tropical regions [25, 26]. The data regarding the growth status and water quality mean, minimum and maximum values can be obtained in Dataset 1.

Conclusion

The Majalaya common carp can be reared at stocking density up to 100 fish m -3 without negative effects on the growth, FCR, and survival. The water quality is suitable condition and suggested for culturing Majalaya common carp in hapa fish ponds. Further research needs to be conducted to evaluate the fillet and carcass proximate composition, and immune system of Majalaya common carp when reared at high stocking density.

Data availability

Raw data for Tables can be accessed on OSF, DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TGC45 [19].

Data are available under the terms of the Creative Commons Zero "No rights reserved" data waiver (CC0 1.0 Public domain dedication).

The experimental design and procedures sound good overall. The findings are obtained for better understanding of Majalaya common carp cultured with different stocking density.

I have some comments that may improve your work: Additional comments:

The information about the feed is lacking: pellet size? Extruded pellets?

In Table 1: the initial weight and final weight can be confused between biomass or individual fish. Please add details for this.

In Table 1: please add the explanation for AWG, DWG, SGR and FCR in the footnote. The table and footnote should be understandable without distracting the reader from the main text.

Comment 1: Table 1 shows that the final biomass weight was significantly different between treatments. You claim it was because of stocking density. From my view, since the initial biomass weight is already significantly different, that can be a main reason that lead to a difference in final weight. Then, either stocking density or initial weight has an effect on final weight. Could you please explain more about this?

Comment 2: In the discussion part “this finding is similar to previous research that survival and growth of fish were independent of the stocking density” that from of my view, it is much too subjective. You refer to 2 papers to support your findings.

However, growth, survival and yield effects of stocking density on aquaculture are well known for a diversity of species and seem to impact production differently. Both growth performance and survival rate, for instance, tend to be higher in low stocking density in the African catfish, C. gariepinus (Hecht et al.,1996 [1]), Oreochromis spp. (Sorphea et al., 2010 [2]) and Thai climbing perch Anabas testudineus (Khatune-Jannat et al., 2012 [3]). Therefore, I suggest you should paraphrase this sentence.

Comment 3: The feeding was ad libitum in your method. Do you have excess feed remaining in the hapa? If yes, how do you manage it? How is feed intake calculated in this experiment? Does stocking density affect feed intake?

I have read this submission. I believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

Introduction:

Title: Sufficient.

Abstract: Sufficient.

Keywords: I think it would be better if the keywords are different from the words which already exist in the title.

The introduction should be started with the general information about the culture of Majalaya common carp Cyprinus carpio in Indonesia and the world, not directly with the problem statement. What are the advantages of this species, etc.?

This species is known as common carp, but in this study the authors add the “Majalaya” common carp as a common name, so the authors have to introduce why the Cyprinus carpio is called Majalaya common carp; maybe this is a new strain or variety which resulted from cross-breeding between species X and species Y.

Methods:

Please clarify where the experimental fish come from - whether they come from the wild or from a hatchery. If from a hatchery, from which location? Etc.

Before distribution into the hapas, did you acclimatise the experimental fish? If yes, for how long and what feed were they fed on during acclimatisation?

I suggest deleting the producer name of the feed; just say “commercial diet”.

You fed the fish three times a day, at what times exactly?

How many times was the weight gain measured? For example 2 weeks interval for 12 weeks? Etc.

Results:

Please add information about the results of the ANOVA test, whether the treatment gave the significant effect or not to the measured parameters.

The FCR data are lower than 1 in all treatments; it means that to get 1 kg of fish we need 0.7 kg of feed. Are you sure about that? I think it is impossible except you used the additional feed for example plankton, or the plankton were available without attention, where the biomass of these plankton was not included in the calculation. Please clarify.

Discussion:

Extend the discussion by comparing with other studies; maybe some studies are in agreement with your findings and some previous studies are contradictory, so that we have discussed both phenomena.

Conclusion:

You said that “The Majalaya common carp can be reared at stocking density up to 100 fish m -3 without negative effects on the growth” - be careful, can be reared until what size?

I have read this submission. I believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.