Influence of rearing tank colour on Asian catfish, magur (Clarias magur) and pangas (Pangasius pangasius) larval growth and survival

Abstract Larval growth and survival are significantly influenced by the various biotic and abiotic factors. Rearing tank background colour is one such factor affecting the larval production in finfish hatcheries. The present study evaluated the effect of five tank background colours (black, white, blue, green and red) on growth and survival of larvae of two commercially important freshwater catfish species, Clarias magur (magur) and Pangasius pangasius (pangas) in a completely randomized experimental design in triplicate. The larvae of magur (9.33 ± 0.15 mm; 3.85 ± 0.05 mg) and pangas (10.07 ± 0.27 mm; 3.31 ± 0.08 mg) were stocked at a density of 45 and 30 larvae per tank, respectively in 15 l tanks. Experimental duration was 28 days for both the species. The results revealed that the final weight, weight gain, daily weight gain, and specific growth rate (SGR) of larvae of magur were significantly (P