Effect of Stocking Density on Growth, Water Quality Changes and Cost Efficiency of Butter Catfish (Ompok bimaculatus) during Seed Rearing in a Biofloc System

Biofloc technology is a modern-day high-density fish culture system employing heterotrophic conversion of nitrogenous waste into useful flocs for water quality control and improved welfare. However, optimization the stocking density target species during seed rearing key to successful farming operation. The study evaluated effect different on growth, feed utilization, digestive physiology economics in biofloc-based butter catfish, O. bimaculatus. Advanced fry (1.21 ± 0.08 g) was reared zero-water exchange biofloc 90 days at densities 0.5 g/L(T1), 1.0 g/L(T2), 1.5 g/L(T3) 2.0 g/L(T4). observed indicates reduction DO pH T4, while total ammonia nitrogen nitrite levels remained low T1. Among groups, highest weight gain noticed lowest (0.5 g/L) (p < 0.05), which coincides with better ratio. Similarly, enzyme (protease, amylase, lipase) secretion higher Profitability assessment describes possibility profit case where fish’s sale price based harvested size. T1 showed individual growth profit. Overall, g/Lis optimum augmenting physiological function economic performance provides direction low-stocking oriented ecological economically sustainable method production catfish system.