The overpopulation of fingerlings in piscicultural breeding of Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) constitutes a major constraint to the productivity of rural pisciculture in Congo. Several solutions have been proposed for this problem, one being use of pond with floating cages. The present study was initiated to compare the traditional method and the use of ponds with floating cages on the zoo technical performances of O. niloticus. The study was undertaken at the Piscicultural Station of the State of Djoumouna. Two ponds were used for each method. The two methods were compared based on the following variables: (i) the growth of fish, (ii) production of fingerlings and (iii) the productivity of the ponds. The results showed that the traditional method better performances than the method of pond with the floating cages: in particular the final average weight (105.5±7.3g) against 90 ±2.8g) and the individual weight gain (21.5±6.3g against 16.5± 07g) for the two methods respectively. The total biomass was significantly higher in traditional breeding method (7.3±0.2kg against 5.6±0.1kg) with better commercial fish yield (3.5±1t/ha/yr against 2.7±1t/ha/yr). On the other hand, the use of ponds with floating cages produced more fingerlings thus assuring sufficient quantity for the future breeding cycles. This study indicates that the traditional method reduces overpopulation of the fingerlings in ponds in Congo.

Key words: Fingerlings, biomass, Congo, floating cages.

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