International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2017; 5(1): 433-439 E-ISSN: 2347-5129 P-ISSN: 2394-0506 (ICV-Poland) Impact Value: 5.62 (GIF) Impact Factor: 0.549 IJFAS 2017; 5(1): 433-439 © 2017 IJFAS www.fisheriesjournal.com Received: 29-11-2016 Accepted: 30-12-2016 Saokat Ahamed Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Freshwater Substation, Saidpur, Nilphamari Khandaker Rashidul Hasan Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Freshwater Substation, Saidpur, Nilphamari Maliha Hossain Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Freshwater Substation, Saidpur, Nilphamari Yahia Mahmud Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Headquarter Mymensingh, Bangladesh MD Khalilur Rahman Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Headquarter Mymensingh, Bangladesh Adaptability of polyculture of stinging Catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) in seasonal water bodies of greater northern region, Bangladesh Saokat Ahamed, Khandaker Rashidul Hasan, Maliha Hossain, Yahia Mahmud and MD Khalilur Rahman Abstract Present study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance of polyculture Heteropneustes fossilis in different stocking density in seasonal ponds of greater Northern region, Bangladesh for a period of 150 days from 30 March 2016 to 30 August 2016. Nine uniform earthen ponds (10decimal) were divided in to three treatments. Three stocking densities of H. fossilis such as 1,23,550 (T1), 148260 (T2) and 172970 ha-1 (T3) were tested with three replications each with C. batratus, O. niloticus and B. gonionotus commercial pelleted fish feed containing 30% crude protein were supplied 8-6% of the body weight of H. fossilis. Sampling of the experimental fishes along with the monitoring of the water quality parameters were measured on fortnightly basis. Over the study period, all the recorded water quality parameters were founded within the acceptable range suitable for fish culture. At the end of the culture period harvested weight of H. fossilis were found 65.11± 1.11, 58.0±2.00 and 48.0±0.58 g where T1 permit significantly (P<0.05) better growth performance followed by T2 and T3 Significantly (P<0.05) with better nutrient utilizations FCR in T1 (2.63) followed by T2 (2.84) and T3 (3.08). Significantly higher survival (%) of the fishes were recorded in T1 (77.93±1.63) followed by the T2 (76.12±0.62) and T3 (72.71±0.14). Considering the survival highest gross production (kg ha-1) in T2 (7793.82) followed by T1 (7593.39± 235.3) and T3 (6981.91±62.2). However, BCR in (T1)1.6933 was found to be more efficient and profitable followed by (T2) 1.4923 and (T3)1.3207). Based on the present findings, polyculture H. fossilis might be suggested to the fish farmer as a potential adaption option to utilize the seasonal water bodies. The polyculture technology of shingi may also help to meet the dietary needs and improve the socioeconomic status of the people of Bangladesh Keywords: Adaptability, Heteropneustes fossilis, polyculture, stocking seasonal, growth, survival, production, BCR Correspondence Saokat Ahamed Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Freshwater Substation, Saidpur, Nilphamari 1. Introduction Bangladesh is ranked fourth position in Inland fishery production just after China, India, and Mymenmar and fifth position in closed waters [1]. Fisheries sector are inseparable from the life and lifestyle of the people of Bangladesh this contributes 4.37% to the national GDP and almost one-fourth (23.37%) to the agricultural GDP [2]. About 1.5 million people are directly employed by this sector [3] Greater Rangpur region is a climate prone area. Water retention capacity of the pond is decreasing day by day. As a result the number of seasonal pond is increasing in the northern districts of Bangladesh about 55% ponds are seasonal of which 60% retained water for 4-6 months while 40% retained for 6 to 9 months in a year and even more in some areas [4]. These small water bodies are being used mainly for household activities but some are still abandoned due to their derelict and marshy nature. Nilphamari district is such an area where this culture technologies should be emphasis on short life cycle and faster growth and require low inputs, such as Genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT), silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus), magur (Clarias batrachus), shing (Heteropneustes fossilis) etc. [5, 6, 7]. To ensure the proper utilization of seasonal ponds, the culture of short-cycle species should be introduced which enhanced to get maximum production. The demands for those fishes are owing to their taste and medical values [8]. But lack of knowledge of appropriate culture techniques and unavailability of quality fish seed of candidate species at required time are found to be some of the major constrains at present time to disseminate the BFRI evolved culture technologies in northern parts of Bangladesh. ~ 433 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies Unfortunately the proper culture technologies of polyculture of H. fossilis in seasonal ponds yet not been optimize and evaluated specially in Northern part of Bangladesh and measurements of water quality parameters are very essential for fish culture in Northern region, it’s also very essential to showing the benefit cost ratio of the culture technologies to the farmer so fur they can easily understand how much of benefit they can achieved and more interested on such type of culture technologies. Hence, the present research works has been designed and proposed to adopt the polyculture techniques of H. fossilis in the seasonal water bodies; to assess the water quality parameters of cultural water bodies; and analyze the benefit cost ratio (BCR) of culture technologies. 2. Material and Methods Site profile and study period The experiment was conducted at the, saidpur, Taragonj and Dimla, sitmohol areas of Rangpur and Nilphamari district for a period of 150 days from 30 March 2016 to 30 August 2016. 2.1. Design of the experiment A total nine (9) uniforms earthen ponds with all equal in size (10 decimal), rectangular shape, similar basin and bottom with average depth (3-4 feet) were used for the experiment. Three (3) treatments of the present experiment (T1, T2 and T3) were designed according to completely randomize design (CRD) in triplicates unit. The experiment has been conducted in farmer’s ponds of Rangpur and Niphamari regions. Onfarm ponds were selected with the concerning of relevant Senior Upazilla Fishery Officer (SUFO/UFO). Table 1: Layout of the experimental design with species composition, and stocking density in three treatments Treatments T1 T2 T3 Species composition Shing Magur GIFT Shorpunti Shing Magur GIFT Shorpunti Shing Magur GIFT Shorpunti Stock. density (nos dec-1) 500 50 10 05 600 50 10 05 700 50 10 05 2.2. Pond preparation, Liming, Fertilization, stocking and feeding management: The selected ponds were prepared by drained and drying. Aquatic weeds was removed from the ponds manually and harmful and unwanted fish species removed by using rotenone 25-35 g dec-1ft-1 and ponds have been liming @1 kg dec-1. After 5 days of liming, cow-dung 6 kg dec-1, urea 100 g dec-1 and TSP 75 g dec-1 have been applied at initial stage Initial length (cm) 8.21 4.00 4.36 8.5 8.22 4.05 4.36 8.4 8.22 4.0 4.37 8.5 Initial weight (g) 2.9 2.03 4.99 5.01 2.9 2.01 4.99 4.99 3.0 1.99 5.00 4.99 Feeding 8-6% during pond preparation. The short-cycle fishes like as H. fossilis, C. batrachus, and GIFT and B. gonionotus have been selected for adaptive trial in the listed ponds. After collection about 7-10 cm fingerlings of H. fossilis and other fishes were stocked as per experimental design (Table 1) during early April 2016. Fish are being fed commercially available fish feed 8-6% BW day-1 (containing 30- 35% protein). Table 2: Proximate composition of feed use to fed fishes in the current experiment over 150 days Feed component Dry mater Crude protein Crude lipid Ash Crude fiber NFE* Amount (%) 89.96±0.48 30.32±0.12 9.95±0.16 18.28±0.58 9.35±0.46 32.1±0.20 Values are shown as mean ± Std. Deviation (SD). * Nitrogen free extract (NFE) calculated as [100 - % (protein + lipid+ ash + fiber)] (Wet wt. basis). 2.3. Sampling of the experimental fish and monitoring water quality parameters: sampling of fishes were made by using a ber jal and weight of fishes were measured by using a digital electronic balance (OHAUS) every fifteen days interval Monitoring of water quality parameters viz. temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) water pH,, transparency total ammonia (NH3) were observed and recorded on spot throughout the experimental period by using standard procedures and methods. The water temperature (°C) was measured by using a standard mercury thermometer, DO (mgl-1) by DO meter (YSL, Model 58, and USA), water pH by digital pH meter (Elico-Li-120ammonia (mgl-1) and ammonia y by using ammonia test kit. 2.4. Statistical analysis One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (Duncan, 1993) was conducted by SPSS 20 (Chicago, USA) to detect the significance differences among the treatments at 5% significance level. The values were given with means ±SD, and differences were considered significant at subset for alpha = 0.05 (p≤0.05). 3. Results 3.1. Water quality parameters Except ammonia (NH3) all water quality parameters measured had no significant differences among treatments (P>0.05). In the present experiment, the recorded water temperature and DO were ranged from 33.00°C to 24.58°C and 7.34 to 4.5 mgl-1, respectively in different treatments. Though mean water temperature and DO did not vary significantly (P>0.05), however, the overall pH of water (8.30-6.80) and transparency (33-22.10cm) in different treatments were within the acceptable range for the fish culture (Table 3). Although the values of Ammonia (NH3) in T2 (0.21) and T3 (0.21) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher value over T1, however T2 and T3 did not vary significantly when compared using ANOVA (Table 3). ~ 434 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies Table 3: Summary of the variations in water quality parameters (mean ± SD) observed in different ponds of T1, T2& T3 during the study Water quality parameters Temperature (oC) D.O (mgl-1) pH (Water) Transparency (cm) Ammonia (NH3) (mgl-1) T1 27.79±2.83 5.64±0.5028 7.31±0.23 27.41± 2.75 0.17±0.026a 3.2. Growth performances and nutrient utilization Although there is no significant difference in initial weight and initial length of fishes in different treatments but the final weight of H. fossilis in T1 (65 g) were varied significantly rather than T2 (58 g) and T3 (49 g) (table 3). During the investigation, mean final length of H. fossilis was recorded as 21.05 cm, 20.58 cm and 19.05cm; in treatments T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The mean final weight gain and % weight gain of H. fossilis in different treatment was also varied significantly and the value of T1 (62 g) was significantly higher than T2 (55 g) and T3 (45 g) (Table 4). The % weight gain of H. fossilis in T1 (2135.40) was highest and significantly varied (P<0.05) over T2 (1839.59) and T3 (1500.00) (Table 4). Significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) & health condition (HC) (P<0.05) was also recorded in T1 (0.41& 3.08) followed by T2 (0.36&2.81) and in T3 T2 28.35±2.88 5.49±0.39 7.49±0.38 27.623± 2.45 0.206±0.026b T3 27.94± 2.25 5.77±0.65 7.46± 0.25 27.55± 2.39 0.208± 0.04b (0.29& 2.51). Specific growth rate (SGR % day-1) in T1 (2.04) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in T2and T3.Significantly (P<0.05) better nutrient utilizations i.e. apparent feed conversion ratio (AFCR) were recorded in T3 (3.08) followed by T2 (2.84) and T1 (2.63) values respectively) (Table 4). FCR were best for fish in T1 where lowest number of fingerlings was reared (1, 23550 nos ha-1). Highest survival rate was also observed inT1 (79.57) and the lowest in T3. (72.56)There was a significant variation (P<0.05) in the survival rate of H. fossilis in T1 compared to T2 and T3 but there is no differences between T2 and T3 (Table 4). The mean productions of H. fossilis were 253.79, 264.99 and 244.31kg treat-1 day-150 in treatments T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The total production of H. fossilis in T2 differed significantly (P<0.05) with the T3 (Table 3). Table 4: Growth performances and nutrient utilization observed in different treatments of the experiment over 150 days culture in ponds Morphometric Parameters Average initial weight (g) Av. final weight (g) initial length(cm) final length(cm) Weight gain1 (g) % weight gain2 ADG (% day-1)3 HC(g-1cm)4 SGR (% day-1)5 FCR6 Sruvival (%) 7 Fish Species H. fossilis C. batratus O. niloticus B. gonionotus H. fossilis C. batratus O. niloticus B. gonionotus H. fossilis C. batratus O. niloticus B. gonionotus H. fossilis C. batratus O. niloticus B. gonionotus H. fossilis C. batratus O. niloticus B. gonionotus H. fossilis C. batratus O. niloticus B. gonionotus H. fossilis C. batratus O. niloticus B. gonionotus H. fossilis C. batratus O. niloticus B. gonionotus H. fossilis C. batratus O. niloticus B. gonionotus H. fossilis H. fossilis C. batratus T1 2.9±0.00a 2.003±0.0005 4.99±0.01 5.01±0.01 65.11± 1.11c 62.50±1.50c 309.20 ±13.20b 192.50±8.50 c 8.21±0.1 4.00±0.0 4.36±0.005 8.50±0.00 21.05b±0.08b 19.50±0.30c 25.00±0.00c 23.50±0.50c 62.15±1.15c 60.49 ±1.49c 304.21±13.19b 187.89± 8.49c 2135.40±12.25c 3017.05±67.03 b 6095.88±252.11b 3741.99±161.99c 0.415±0.005c 0.40±0.01c 2.02±0.08b 1.24±0.058c 3.08±0.04c 3.20±0.12 12.36±0.52b 8.15±0.22b 2.04± 0.02c 2.28±0.018 c 2.74±0.025b 2.41±0.035b 2.63±0.09 a 77.93±1.63b 62.00±2.00b ~ 435 ~ T2 2.9±0.01a 2.01±0.04 4.99±0.015 4.99±0.01 58.0±2.00 b 56.00±2.0b 293.00±7.00b 180.00 ±4.0b 8.22±0.02 4.05±0.05 4.36±0.00 8.49±0.01 20.58± 0.08b 18.25±0.15b 24.22±0.10b 22.65±0.35b 55.01±1.99b 54.00± 2.04b 288.00±7,01b 175.01±4.01b 1839.59±60.40b 2689.15±155.01a 5766.33±157.75b 3507.38±87.38b 0.3667±0.015b 0.36±0.005b 1.91±0.045b 1.16±0.025b 2.81± 0.08b 3.10±0.17 12.10±0.34b 7.94±0.05b 1.98±0.02 b 2.21±0.035b 2.71±0.021b 2.38±0.015b 2.84±0.02 b 76.12±0.62a 63.20±2.00b T3 3.0±0.00a 1.99±0.01 5.00±0.00 4.99±0.02 48.0±0.58 a 51.50±1.50a 263.50±3.50a 163.50±1.50a 8.22±0.005 4.00±0.0 4.37±0.005 8.50±0.01 19.05±0.37a 17.50±0.0 a 23.790.09±0.09a 21.68±0.28a 45.00±0.58a 49.51 ±1.49a 258.50±3.50a 158.50±1.47a 1500.00±33.35a 2487.62±62.37a 5170.00±70.00a 3173.20±13.65a 0.2967±0.005a 0.33±0.01a 1.39±0.031a 1.05±0.01a 2.516±0.03 a 2.93±0.08 11.07±0.10a 7.54±0.17a 1.84± 0.015a 2.16±0.015a 2.64±0.01a 2.32±0.00a 3.08± 0.03c 72.71±0.14a 53.90±0.10a International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies O. niloticus 87.00±3.0b 86.00±6.0b 74.00±2.0a B. gonionotus 79.00±1.00b 78.00±4.00b 68.00±2.00a H. fossilis 253.79±9.63ab 264.99±11.31b 244.31±4.61a b c C. batratus 19.22±0.025 17.67±0.07 13.87±0.37a Production(kg-1Treat)8 O. niloticus 28.86±0.22b 25.24±2.36b 19.49±0.27a b c B. gonionotus 7.39±0.035 7.00±0.21 5.55±0.11a Values are means of data obtained ± Std. Deviation (mean ± SD) of monthly determinations. Values in the same row with same superscripts are not significantly different (P>0.05). Absence of superscripts indicates no significant difference between treatments. 1Mean final weight gain (g) = {Mean final fish weight (g) - Mean initial fish weight (g)} 2 % weight gain= [{(Mean final fish weight (g) - Mean initial fish weight (g)}/ Mean initial fish weight (g)] x100. 3ADG (Average Daily Gain)=mean final weight-mean initial weight/days 4 HC ( Health Condition)=weight of fish/ length of fish 5 Specific growth rate (SGR % day-1) = [{(Loge W2 - Loge W1)/ (T2-T1)} ×100], Where, W1 is the initial live body weight (g) at time T1 and W2 is the final live body weight (g) at time T2 (day) (after Brown, 1957, Cited from Hossain, 2009). [9]. 6Apparent feed conversion ratio (AFCR) = Total dry feed fed / Total live weight gain (after Castell and Tiews 1980). .7Survival rate (%) = (Final number of fish harvested / Initial fish number) x 100. 8Production (kg ha-1) = [{Final number of fish harvested x individual weight of fish (g)} / 1000] x 247.1 3.3. Economic analysis A simple cost-benefit analysis was performed to estimate the benefit cost ratio (BCR) and profitability that had been generated from these three types of culture systems. Though the expenditures in three different treatments vary significantly (P<0.05) among themselves, Combined production of the fishes as recorded in T1, T2, T3 were 7593.39± 235.31, 7793.82±239.72, 6981.91±62.22 kg ha-1, respectively. The production of fish was higher in T2 but did not vary significantly with T1.However the lowest production costs (BDT ha-1) was recorded in T1 (1377276.07±2032.47) followed by T2 (1553971.71±32266.22) and highest in T3 (1603744.23±33774.92) (Table 5). Furthermore, consistently higher net profit (BDT ha-1) in T1 (959116.04±77423.63) over T2 (634499.00±179774.55) and T3 (516434.02±14802.88) together with significantly (P<0.05) higher BCR were recorded in T1 (1.69±0.055) followed by T2 (1.49±0.046) and T3 (1.32±0.003) (Table 5). Table 5: Benefit and cost analysis of Shing (H. fossilis (per hectare) of the experimental ponds for a period of 150 days Items wise expenditures/ operational costs T1 T2 T3 Pond preparation 3000 3000 3000 Price of fry1(BDT treatment-1) 36450 42450 48450 Lime, fertilizer, Cow dung (BDT treatment-1) 1500 1500 1500 Feed costs(BDT treat-1) 1,20262.77 1,35,269.94 1,35757.98 Transport, labor etc.(BDT treatment-1) 6000 6000 6000 Total production costs (BDT ha-1)2 1377276.07±2032.47a 1553971.71±32266.22b 1603744.23±33774.92b Incomes and outputs Total production (kg ha-1) 7593.39± 235.31b 7793.82±239.72b 6981.91±62.22a b b -1 3 2120178.25±48303.72a Gross production value (BDT ha ) 2336392.12±45780.99 2317804.04±121428.26 Net profit (BDT ha-1)4 959116.04±77423.63b 634499.00±179774.55a 516434.02±14802.88a b 5 c Benefit cost ratio (BCR) 1.6933±0.055 1.4923±0.046 1.3207±0.003a not significantly different (P>0.05). Absence of superscripts indicates no significant difference between treatments. * 1 US Dollar ($) equivalent to eighty (80) Bangladeshi Taka (BDT). 1 Prce of fry (BDT per pieces) H .fossilis 2.0, O. niloticus (Tilapia) 1.0, C. batratus 4.0, B. gonionotus 1.0 2The cost of physical labor involved was not considered 3 Gross production values were estimated on the basis of sell values of produce crops. Market price of H .fossilis 330, O. niloticus (Tilapia) 120, C. batratus 350, and B. gonionotus 115 (BDT kg-1). 4 Net profit (BDT treatment-1) = Gross production value – Total production costs. 5BCR= Total production value / total production costs (BDT). 4. Discussions 4.1. Water quality parameters The highest water temperature were found, 33 º C due to relative high intensity of sunlight and absence of cloud in the sky and the lowest and 25.1º C in the month of July and March might be due to low intensity of light as a result of rainfall and cloudy condition and cool air flow on the other hand highest and lowest dissolved oxygen were found 7.34 mgl-1 in June and 4.5 mgl-1 in April respectively However, there was no significant (P>0.05) variation among the treatments. [10] Reported a surface water temperature ranged from 26.93 to 27.41 in monoculture of Thai koi (Anabas testudineus). [11]. also observed temperature ranged of 28 to 30 º C in cultured ponds water. The pH values of the different treatments ponds water were found to be slightly alkaline and highest water pH were recorded 7.68 in theT2 and lowest pH was recorded7.19 in the T1. [12] Reported that average values of pH ranged from 6.5 to 8.1 in Kailla beel. More or less similar pH values were also recorded by [13, 14, 15] in the aquaculture ponds in Mymensingh. Water transparency was 22-33cm in T1 and T2 without significant difference (Table 3), which was more or less similar with the findings of [16] as recorded values ranging from 15-58 cm. The present findings were relevant with [17, 18, 19, 20]. Maximum ammonia content were recorded in T3( 0.23) due to high stocking density and more amount of fecal materials were release in the ponds and minimum in the T1(0.15) due to low density compared to T2 and T3.Thus it might be concluded that all of water quality parameters were within suitable range for fish culture. [21, 22, 23, 24] also recorded of 0.01 to 0.99 mgl-1 in BAU campus; Mymensingh. ~ 436 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 4.2. Growth parameters The effect of stocking density on growth and survival and production of H. fossilis was conducted and observed that the growth performance in term of final weight, final length, final weight, weight gain and percent weight gain, ADG, HC, and SGR of H. fossilis, C. batratus, B. gonionotus, and O. niloticus in earthen ponds varied on different stocking densities. T1 showed significantly highest growth (P<0.05) than those of T2 and T3 This is because a relatively less number of fish of similar size in a pond could get more space, food, less competition and dissolved oxygen etc. Although same feed was supplied in all the treatments at an equal ratio. The results also indicated that higher growth rate was always observed at lower stocking densities in the experiment. More or less similar types of growth were observed by [25]. Who recorded the growth 49.50 to 69.42 g from six months cultured of H. fossilis. The lower growth performances H. fossilis were in T3 and T2 than T1 that might be due to competition for food and habitat for higher number of fingerlings. Stocking density is known to be one of the important parameters in fish culture. The present results coincide with the findings of [26] who achieved best growth at lower stocking densities in shing farming. There was a general decrease in FCR for the population of treatment T1 (2.63) than that of the T2 (2.84) and T3 (3.08) which is supported by [27]. The FCR values of different treatments were acceptable and indicated better food utilization, which is agreed by [28]. Significantly, higher survival was recorded in T1 (77%) and no significant difference in T2 and T3, where, the stocking density was lower than treatment T2 and T3 Survival was found to be negatively influenced by stocking densities The reason for reduced survival rate in treatment T 2 might be due to higher stocking density of individuals as well as competition for natural food and space in the water area of pond which is supported by [29, 30, 31]. Although Fish production H. fossilis were found higher in T2 (7793.82 kg ha1 ) followed by T1 (7593.39 kg ha-1)) and T3 (6981.91 kg ha-1) but there were no significant difference (P>0.05) between T2 and T1. It might be due relatively higher numbers of fry stocked in T2 than those of T1 but highest individual growth were high in T1. Hence, the observed poor growth at higher stocking densities could be due to space limiting effect, stressful situation caused by supplementary feed, some variations in environmental parameters and less availability of natural food. The present result agreed with the findings of [32, 33, 34] they obtained the highest production from higher stocking density but individual growth high in lower stocking density. 4.3. Economic analysis The economic analysis of the culture systems was carried out to assess the economic return under low input management. Though the expenditures in T2 and T3 did not vary significantly (P>0.05), however the lowest production costs (BDT ha-1) was recorded in T1 (1377276) followed by T2 (1377276.) and T3 (1603744) (Table 5). However, significantly higher net profit (BDT) was found in T1 (959116.04) followed by T2 (634499.00) and T3 (516434.02) due to lower stocking density of H. fossilis and highest individual weight of H. fossilis were found in T1 then others treatments. [35] Recorded the cost and benefit of Monosex Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in monoculture system and got the net benefit of BDT 69,277.32/ha/6 months where fish were fed formulated feed. [36] Observed that monoculture of Raj punti (Puntius gonionutus) gave a net benefit BDT 68,135 to 75,028/ha from 6 months cultured. The net benefit BDT 1, 00,784 to 4, 43,458/ha/6 months in monoculture of Thai koi (A. testudineus) in northern Bangladesh [36] While Significantly (P<0.05) higher BCR were also recorded in T1 (1.69) followed by the T2 (1.45) and lowest in T3 (1.32) this is due to lower FCR and less production cost then T2 and T3. [37, 38, 39, 40] found more or less results of our findings. In the present experiment, the net benefit was higher than the above findings. Among the treatments in five months of culture of Shing (H. fossilis), individuals 1, 23,550/ha stocking density would be the best recommendation for fish farmers in northern regions. 5. Conclusions The survival, growth and production were inversely related to the stocking densities of fingerlings of H. fossilis in earthen ponds although feeding frequency and other species combination were same in different treatments However, stocking density of 1,23550 fry ha-1 may be suggested for polyculture of (H. fossilis) in seasonal ponds in northern region of Bangladesh. Therefore, rural communities can use this technology as a way of coping measure (adopt) to climatic extremities, for better utilization of vast unused ponds and increase production of fishes in drought prone areas of Northern districts, Bangladesh. 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