Performance of Indian pompano, Trachinotus mookalee in net cages

The Indian pompano, Trachinotus mookalee is considered as a promising species for mariculture in India. Indian pompano seed were obtained from Central Marine Fishery Research Institute, Vishakhapatnam. The seed were stocked in 1m x1m ^x 2m diameter cages in closed bay at Suryalanka near Bapatla, Guntur. Fishes were stocked at 4 different stocking densities; T (4 No/m³); T₂ (6 No/m³); T₃ (8 No/m³) and T₄ (10 No/m³) for a duration of 92 days. Feeding of the fish was done twice per day, with each daily ration divided into two equal halves. Feed was applied at the rate of 10% of body weight. A feed ring (0.5 x 0.5 m) was fixed at middle of each cage. Feed rings are enclosures that float at the water surface. They hold floating feeds and prevent the escape of feed out of cage and thus reduce wastage of feed. The mean body weight of fish at the time of stocking was T (10.1g ± 0.69.); T₂ (10.6g ± 0.56); T₃ (10.7g ± 0.74) and T₄ (10.2g ± 2.62) whereas mean total length was T (7.6 cm+ 1.02); T₂ (7.1cm± 0.86); T₃ (6.8cm 0.88) and T₄ (6.9cm 1.45) The fish have grown from T (10.1g ± 0.69.) T₂(10.6g ± 0.56) T₃ (10.7g ± 0.74) T₄ (10.2g ± 2.62) to T’ (34.1g ± 1.24.) T₂ (26.91g ± 1.54) T₃ (25.15g ± 1.22) T₄ (22.76g ± 1.14) weight and T (12.75cm± 1.35) T₂(11.98cm± 1.81) T₃ (11.5cm_± 1.44) T₄ (11.26cm± 1.73) length were observed. Cent per cent survival was reported in all stocking densities. Growth reduced with increasing stocking densities. The water quality parameters like temperature, D.O, pH, salinity, NH₃, NO₂, NO₃, alkalinity and hardness were analysed at every fortnightly interval and were within the optimum range for culture of Indian pompano.