Production trials of in-pond raceway system growing stocker and foodsize hybrid Catfish plus Nile tilapia

In Pond Raceway systems (IPRS) consist of floating or fixed floor rectangular raceways (RW) assembled or placed into existing earthen ponds. This case study evaluated the performance and economics of producing foodsize hybrid Catfish and stocker sized fingerlings in IPRS and Nile tilapia grown in cages, placed into four 0.4 ha ponds. Growout raceways in ponds 1 and 2 were 63 m(3), and 45 m(3) in ponds 3 and 4. Each pond had one (14 m(3)) stocker unit raceway plus a 36 m(3) Nile tilapia cage placed into ponds 2 and 4. Each pond had 5.0 HP of aeration that maintained adequate DO levels. Catfish were fed a 32% CP commercial diet twice a day; Nile tilapia were allowed only to graze the phytoplankton flow generated by the growout and stocker IPRS units. The combined production from growout (186 days) and stocker (142 days) resulted in 19,712 kg/ha in pond 1, 19,302 kg/ha in pond 2, 19,426 kg/ha in pond 3, and 16,555 kg/ha in pond 4. The same number of Nile tilapia were stocked into the two cages and resulted in yields of 2167 kg/ha (pond 2) and 2160 kg/ha (pond 4); when combined with catfish production resulted in total gross production of 21,469 kg/ha in pond 2 and 18,715 kg/ha in pond 4. Foodsize average harvest weights ranged from 670 to 894 g, with survival rates ranging from 86 to 98%, and having weight gain per day (WGD) of 1.74 to 3.22 g/day. Raceway stocker unit achieved harvest weights ranging from 173 g to 186 g, with survival rates ranging from 75 to 90% and having WGD from 1.02 to 1.37 g. In general, efficient FCRs were achieved in all growout and stocker hybrid Catfish IPRS units. Hybrid Catfish raised in IPRS demonstrated excellent fish inventory control, promoted uniform hybrid Catfish production, with 90 to 95% of the foodfish harvested in the preferred premium size range. Production strategies for inclusion of co-cultured Nile tilapia along with the catfish IPRS systems were achieved with little investment and operating costs, resulting in overall positive net returns. Ponds housing IPRS catfish units plus a Nile tilapia cage had reduced investment payback periods, increased net present value and higher internal rates of return.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the performance and economic benefits of producing hybrid Catfish and Nile tilapia in Pond Raceway systems (IPRS). The results showed that this farming method can achieve efficient feed conversion rates and yield high gross production. The inclusion of Nile tilapia in the IPRS systems resulted in increased net returns and improved financial indicators.