World Journal of Zoology 9 (4): 244-249, 2014 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2014.9.4.85246 Corresponding Author: Mosaddequr Rahman, Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, 4-50-20 Shimoarata, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan. 244 Effect of Feeds and Fertilizers on Growth and Survival Rate of Threatened Labeo bata Fry in Earthen Nursery Ponds Abdus Samad, Saleha Jasmine, Mosaddequr Rahman, 1 1 2 Nusrat Jahan, Selim Reza, Istiaque Hossain, Yeamin Hossain and Resembles Mohammad 1 1 1 1 2 Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Rajshahi. Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh 1 Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, 4-50-20 Shimoarata, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan 2 Abstract: The present study was conducted to reveal the effects of formulated feeds and fertilizers on growth and production of the threatened fish Labeo bata (Hamilton, 1822) in nursery ponds of the Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh for a period of 90 days from 11 July to 10 October, 2011. The th th experiment was designed with 3 treatments viz. Treatment 1 (T ): formulated feed and fertilizer, Treatment 2 (T ): 1 2 only formulated feed, Treatment 3 (T ): only fertilizer. The stocking density was same for all the treatments 3 (500000 individuals/ha). Significant differences were observed in water transparency, CO and alkalinity among 2 the treatments. However, all the water quality parameters were within suitable range for optimal fish growth. The mean values of weight gain was found highest (6.46±0.16 g) in T and lowest (5.40±0.14 g) in T , length gain was 1 3 found highest (7.00±0.13 cm) in T and lowest (5.50±0.12 cm) in T , specific growth rate (%) was found highest 1 3 (6.86±0.03) in T and lowest (5.98±0.2) in T , survival rate (%) was found highest (75.17±0.48) in T and lowest 1 2 1 (65.77±0.28) in T . The overall production and cost benefit ratio of L. bata fry rearing was significantly higher 3 in T . The present study reveals that rearing of L. bata fry in nursery ponds is more profitable (Both in terms 1 of growth and economics) while using both formulated feeds and fertilizers during culture period. Keywords: Labeo bata Nursery Feeds Fertilizers Growth Survival Rate Production Cost Benefit Ratio INTRODUCTION Labeo bata belongs to the family cyprinidae is an Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector and reported from Pakistan and is introduced in Nepal [7]. its economic significance is increasing concomitantly The bata is highly preferred fish and is of high market throughout the world [1]. Global aquaculture value in Bangladesh [8-9]. But due to over exploitation, production increased 40 times since 1970 and is expected habitat loss and various ecological changes in its natural to quintuple in the upcoming 50 years [2]. Aquaculture habitat; this species is on the verge of extinction [8-10]. provides healthy proteins for humans and complements Therefore, it is essential to take necessary steps to the limited availability from overexploited fisheries [3-5]. conserve and rehabilitate this fish from extinction. In Bangladesh, during the period 1984/85 to 2008/09 Under the present circumstances, pond culture of L. bata aquaculture enjoyed an impressive growth rate of more is a suitable option not only for increasing the fish than 9%. The contribution of aquaculture production in production to meet the demand but also for the the national fish production increased steadily during the conservation of this threatened species. More 1995-2004 and is estimated at 46.6% of the total fish importantly, L. bata automatically suits in the traditional production [6]. It is therefore clear, that if demand for carp polyculture system. However, the culture of L. bata fish is to be met in the coming years then aquaculture will needs constant supply of high quality fingerlings. In past, certainly play a major role. the main sources of fingerlings for aquaculture were indigenous fish in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar but also