EFFECT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND FEED CONVERSION RATIO OF LABEO ROHITA

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different water temperature ranges on growth performance, total length and feed conversion ratio of Labeo rohita. The three temperature ranges were 20-22, 22-24 and 24-26°C. Two replicates were followed for each water temperature range. The feed was offered at the rate of 4% of wet body weight of the fish twice a day. Labeo rohita attained significantly higher body weight (11.650 ± 0.212g) and total length (10.485 ± 0.191 cm) under water temperature range of 24-26°C. This was followed by 10.803 ± 0.003g body weight and 9.720 ± 0.003 cm total length under water temperature range of 22-24oC and 10.356 ± 0.062g and 9.335 ± 0.078 cm for body weight and total length respectively for the water temperature range of 20-22°C. The fish reared in water having temperature between 24-26°C showed the best FCR value (2.270 ± 0.059), followed by those maintained in 22-24°C (2.680 ± 0.146) and 20-22°C (2.970 ± 0.073). It was concluded that water temperature ranging from 24-26°C seemed to be the most effective for rearing of Labeo rohita.