~ 49 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2018; 6(3): 49-52 E-ISSN: 2347-5129 P-ISSN: 2394-0506 (ICV-Poland) Impact Value: 5.62 (GIF) Impact Factor: 0.549 IJFAS 2018; 6(3): 49-52 © 2018 IJFAS www.fisheriesjournal.com Received: 08-03-2018 Accepted: 09-04-2018 Kalim Ullah Department of Zoology, Faculty of sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Murree-road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Arslan Emmanuel Department of Zoology, Faculty of sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Murree-road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Muhammd Zubair Anjum Department of Zoology, Faculty of sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Murree-road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Correspondence Kalim Ullah Department of Zoology, Faculty of sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Murree- road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Effect of stocking density on growth performance of Indus mahseer (Tor macrotepis) Kalim Ullah, Arslan Emmanuel and Muhammd Zubair Anjum Abstract Effects of stocking densities on the growth and survival of mahseer (Tor macrolepis) fingerlings were examined in a six glass aquaria. The experiment was conducted for two months in aquarium having a size of 1x1.5x2 feet (height x width and length) each. Fingerlings were stocked at 10, 20 and 30 with duplicated, designated as treatment-1 (T1), treatment-2 (T2) and treatment-3 (T3) respectively. At stocking, all fingerlings were of the same group with a mean Total body length of 7.8±2.15, 9.96±2.31, 5.68±1.25cm and weight of 5.38±3.57, 9.39±4.76, 2.96±0.72gm respectively. Fingerlings in all the treatments were fed with Orayza commercial fish feed at 40% crude protein value. Water levels were maintained in the entire aquarium. Highest weight gain was observed in T1 and lowest in T3. Final length, final weight and survival of fingerlings also followed the same trends as weight gain. Overall, highest growth and survival of fingerlings were obtained at a density of 10 fingerlings. Hence, of the three stocking densities, 10 appear to be the most suitable stocking density for rearing of mahseer fingerlings in aquarium under laboratory study. Keywords: Tor macrolepis, stocking density, fingerlings, survival, growth Introduction Mahseer fish belonging to genus “Tor” are widely distributed in Southern Asia from Afghanistan in the west to Thailand and Malaysia in the east and also present in China Pakistan, Indonesia, South and Southeast Asia including the Indian peninsula. Tor genus consists of Tor macrolipes and more than 20 other species which are not yet scientifically identified (Pervaiz et al. 2012) [11] . This fish group inhabits semi-cold waters of foot hills. They also possess medium to large size barbs. According to its feeding habit in the early stages of its development it is carnivorous and later on when it became adult diverts it to omnivore. Sometimes it becomes opportunistic feeder and also feeds on larvae, small mollusks and algal coating on rocks (Chatta and Ayub, 2010) [2] . Two species of Mahseer are found in Indus River system in Pakistan which is Zobi mahseer (Nazirito rezhobensis) and Golden Mahseer (Tor macrolepis). Golden Mahseer is known as a high valued game and food fish. This popular game fish belonging to one of the largest species of family Cyprinidae and attains weight over 50 kg and is called as the “pride of Anglers” (Chatta et al. 2015) [1] . The natural stocks of mahseer fishes have decline due to prolonged drought, frequent devastating floods, siltation and soil erosion in the hilly rivers and reservoir and man-made changes i.e. construction of flood control measures and drainage structures, dumping of agro- chemicals and industrial pollutants, indiscriminate and destructive fishing practices in the aquatic ecosystem (Rahman et al. 2007) [13] . These not only damage the breeding grounds but also destroy the availability of brood fish including hatchlings, fry and fingerlings. The Indus golden mahseer (Tor macrolepis) is now identified as a critically endangered species (Rahman et al. 2005) [14] . To protect it from elimination and to conserve its natural stocks, the development of breeding, rearing and culture techniques are very important (Rahman et al. 2007) [13] . The main issue to aquaculture is the non-availability of fry/fingerlings. Growth, survival and production of fry and fingerlings in ponds depend on stocking density, type and quantity of fertilizers and supplementary feeds. The present study was undertaken to develop an economically reasonable and viable technology for the seed growth and survival of Tor macrolepis under a controlled aquarium system.