Growth, Feed utilization and Survival rate of Basa (Pangasius sp.) Juvenile under Different Environmental Conditions

Study examined the responses of juvenile Pangasius to different levels of temperature, salinity, pH, interaction between temperature and salinity. Examining the effects of temperature levels (28°C, 30°C and 32°C) showed that Pangasius had better growth performance and feed utilization in lowest temperature level (28^oC). Different temperature levels didn’t affect the survival rate. Investigating the effects of three water salinities (5, 10 and 15 ppt) showed that Pangasius growth performance and feed utilization were significantly higher at 5ppt than 10 and 15ppt respectively. Survival rate didn’t differ significantly between different salinities. Pangasius fingerlings showed significantly higher growth performance in the higher pH level while the best feed conversion ratio was recorded in pH 8. No significant differences on the survival rate % were resulted from different pH levels. Significantly higher growth performance in terms of final weight, average weight gain, specific growth rate %, and weight gain % were noted in 26º C/5 ppt and 32°C/5 ppt as compared with 26°C/15 ppt and 32°C/15ppt. The interaction between 32°C and 5 ppt showed the best feed utilization with significantly differences from other interaction treatments. In all experimental treatments survival rate didn’t decrease than 96.6% without any significant differences. Results of the study revealed that Pangasius can acclimate relatively easily to different environmental conditions without extreme effects on performance and survival.