Growth Performance of Snubnose Pompano (Trachinotus blochii) in Different Cage Shapes

The study on the growth performance of snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii) in different cage shapes was conducted at the College of Fisheries Laboratory and Research station, Brgy. Bawing, General Santos City for a period of 60 days from February 16 to April 17, 2019. Nine net cages composing of 3 square (1m x 1m x 1.5m), rectangular (0.8m x 1.25m x 1.5m), and 3 circular 1.13m (diameter), 1.5m (height) shaped was used as enclosures and were installed in a pond. Twenty five (25) snubnose pompano fingerlings with an initial weight of 2.129 were stocked per cage. The fish were fed commercial diets at 10% body weight for the first month and adjusted to 8% for second month. Statistical analysis was done using the IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 20). The significance between treatments means was determined using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The highest mean body weight was obtained by fish in Treatment I (21.64g), followed by Treatment II (19.95g) and Treatment III (18.90g). The highest mean weight gain was obtained in Treatment I ( 19.52g), followed by Treatment II (17.83g) and the lowest in Treatment III (16.78). Fish in Treatment I (0.33g/day) obtained the highest mean daily weight gain, followed by Treatment II (0.30g/day) and the lowest was gained by Treatment III (0.28g/day). Statistical analysis showed highly significant difference among treatment means (P<0.01). Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) showed that all treatments have significant difference. Treatment | was significant with Treatments II and III (P<0.05), and Treatment II was significant with Treatment III (P<0.05), while Treatment II and III were not significant with Treatment I (P>0.05). Better feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained in Treatment I (1.33) followed by Treatment II (1.34) and Treatment III (1.35). Statistical analysis showed that there was highly significant difference in Treatment I compared to Treatment II and Treatment III (P<0.01). Survival rate was 100% in all Treatments. Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) showed that all treatments have significant difference. Treatment I was significant with Treatments II and III (P<0.05), and Treatment II was significant with Treatment III (P<0.05), while Treatment II and III were not significant with Treatment I (P>0.05). Temperature readings ranged from 29-30°C, pH from 7.5-7.7, dissolved oxygen from 5-6 ppm, salinity from 30-32 ppt and ammonia was 0.0 ppm. These ranges were found to be within the tolerable range for snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii). Under the conditions of the study, Treatment I obtained the best results in terms of growth, survival and FCR.