The genetic potential for any animal growth depends basically on the environmental conditions like competition for space, foods, oxygen. This experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating the fingerlings growth of a ornamental fish (Trichogaster trichopterus), submitted to three stocking densities and three feeding levels. The fishes (average weight of 0.56 g ± 0.09 and 0.96 g ± 0.13) were divided in two blocks, submitted to three densities (5, 10 and 15 fishes/aquaria) and fed at levels of 3, 6 and 9% of body weight/d. The fishes were fed once a day with crumble commercial diet and reared in aquaria (100 L) with biological filter, aeration and partial water renewal. Water showed good limnological parameters for the specie comfort, with decreasing pH and conductivity at the end of the experimental period, at the greatest density (15 fish/aquaria) and feeding level (9% body weight/d). Feeding rate showed significant effect on total length, total weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and condition factor, where the fishes fed 9% body weight/d showed the best results. Concerning the different stocking densities, only the condition factor showed significant difference, with the best results for the fish cultivated at density of 10 fishes/aquarium, in relation to those reared at 15 fishes/aquaria. No significant interactions were observed among the feeding levels and stocking densities.
densities; feeding levels; ornamental fishes; Trichogaster trichopterus
