The Pangas Catfish Pangasius pangasius; Growth Efficiency and Nutritional Composition Under Variety of Saltwater Challenges

This study investigated the effects of varying salinity levels on the growth and nutritional composition of the pangas catfish (Pangasius pangasius) over 60-day intervals. Fish seeds (25.3g) from Tawakal Fish Hatchery were acclimated and then exposed to four salinity treatment groups: T0 (0 ppt), T1 (2 ppt), T2 (4 ppt), and T3 (6 ppt). Parameters including salinity, temperature (26.2°C), pH (8.13), and dissolved oxygen (7.32mg/ L) were monitored daily. Fish were fed a commercial diet twice daily at 5% of their body weight. Significant differences in growth parameters were observed. Initial body weight remained consistent across treatments (P> 0.05), but final body weight decreased upon increasing salinity, with significant reductions in T2 and T3 compared to T0 (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Weight gain also significantly declined with higher salinity levels (P< 0.01), and feed conversion ratio increased with salinity (P< 0.01). Nutritional analysis revealed that crude protein decreased significantly with increasing salinity, while crude fat and ash content increased (P< 0.05 to P< 0.001). The study confirms that elevated salinity adversely affects growth and nutritional composition, with significant impacts indicated at higher salinity levels.