Density effect on the cost of production of tilapia fingerlings in cages

Abstract

Was determined economic viability of cultivation of fingerlings of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in cages stocked at different densities. Between March and April 2011 an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with five treatments (500, 584, 667, 750 and 834 fish m-3) and five replications. Were evaluated the economic variables: effective operational cost, total operational cost, revenue, sales price, gross income, net financial income and operating income. Based on the low stocking density (500 fish m-3) to the largest (834 fish m-3), was observed a decrease in daily weight gain and increased in feed conversion ratio, but this reduction did not compromise the survival rate. The higher net revenues were occured in 584 fish m-3. Prices remunerated the operating costs (effective and total) in all densities, however, the best performance was found with 3,500 fish per cage or 584 fish m-3.