Effects of pond depth and water temperature on the growth, mortality and body composition of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

The effects of varying water depths and temperature on the growth, feed utilization, mortality rates and body composition of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), were evaluated. Triplicate groups of 20 fish (mixed-sex) m-3 were stocked into 200-m2 freshwater earthen ponds maintaining four water depths: 50, 100, 200 and 300 cm. The fish were fed on commercial fish pellets (23% protein), twice a day for 10 months (May 1991-February 1992). Water temperatures ranged from 5 oC to 33 oC. Growth performance and survival were significantly affected by pond depth and water temperature. Fish weight gain was lowest (250 g per fish), feed conversion poorest (3.15), and mortality highest (41.5%) at 50 cm depth, whereas 100-200 cm depth produced the best growth rates at warm water temperatures (> 21 oC). At 100-200 cm depth, weight gain was significantly (P<0.001) increased to 348-362 g per fish, feed conversion improved to 2.53-2.59 (P<0.01) and mortality reduced to 21-27% (P<0.001). Fish growth was significantly reduced (P<0.001) below 21 oC. Below 10 oC, fish stopped feeding and developed severe stress, fungal infection and high mortality. However, mortality rate was significantly reduced at 300 cm depth. Body lipid and protein were sharply decreased (P<0.001) with decreasing water temperature and pond depth, whereas body ash showed irregular patterns.