Studies on stocking practices in Oreochromis niloticus

Abstract

This study investigates the implications of different stocking practices in 0. niloticus. Special attention was exercised to assess the implications of the phenomena of growth depensation and compensatory growth. Additionally, experiments were conducted to investigate possible mechanisms that may control growth performance. Social interaction seems to be responsible for growth variation in this species . Growth depensation develops faster when size variation among the population limited. On the other hand the•effect of size grading on growth performance of 0. niloticus was negligible. Juveniles 0. niloticus showed a significant compensatory growth associated with• alterations in social conditions. The presence of water-born chemical mediator (s) in 0. niloticus can not be excluded.