The influence of stocking density and food ration on fry survival and growth in Oreochromis mossambicus and O. niloticus female × O. aureus male hybrids reared in a closed circulated system

First-feeding stage tilapia fry were reared for 40 or 50 days in 20-l capacity aquaria at six stocking densities (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 l-1) and three feeding levels (6, 12, 24% of body weight daily). Fry survival and growth were improved at the higher feeding levels, but the percentage of fry surviving showed no consistent relationship to stocking density. Cannibalism accounted for a mortality rate of 10-35% in each experimental group and was inversely related to the level of feeding. Under equivalent conditions, O. niloticus female × O. aureus male fry had a higher rate of survival, better food conversion and were more uniform in size than O. mossambicus fry. © 1984