COMPOSITE FISH COMPOSITE FISH CULTURECULTURE

Dr. U.P.SinghDr. U.P.Singh

College of FisheriesCollege of Fisheries

G.B. Pant Univ. of Ag. & G.B. Pant Univ. of Ag. & Tech. PantnagarTech. Pantnagar

Composite fish cultureComposite fish culture

Composite fish culture, which was developed at Composite fish culture, which was developed at the Central Inland Fisheries Research Sub-station the Central Inland Fisheries Research Sub-station at Cuttack in the mid-sixties, has come a long way.at Cuttack in the mid-sixties, has come a long way.

In a pond, the surface is occupied by floating In a pond, the surface is occupied by floating organisms like plankton, the column region with live organisms like plankton, the column region with live and dead organic matter sunk from the surface and and dead organic matter sunk from the surface and the bottom with detritus or dead organic matter.the bottom with detritus or dead organic matter.

The different trophic levels of a pond can be The different trophic levels of a pond can be utilized for increasing the profitability of fish utilized for increasing the profitability of fish culture.culture.

Composite fish culture is a polyculture system in Composite fish culture is a polyculture system in which compatible fishes of different species which compatible fishes of different species having different feeding habits are selected and having different feeding habits are selected and grown in the pond to exploit all types of food grown in the pond to exploit all types of food available in the different regions of the pond for available in the different regions of the pond for maximizing fish production.maximizing fish production.

The aquatic vegetation, plankton, decayed The aquatic vegetation, plankton, decayed organisms and other debris available in the organisms and other debris available in the surface, middle and bottom water layers are surface, middle and bottom water layers are utilized as feed by the stocked surface, middle utilized as feed by the stocked surface, middle and bottom dwelling fishes.and bottom dwelling fishes.

This technology enables to get maximum fish This technology enables to get maximum fish production from a pond or a tank through production from a pond or a tank through utilization of available fish food organisms in all utilization of available fish food organisms in all the natural niches, supplemented by artificial the natural niches, supplemented by artificial feeding.feeding.

Any perennial fresh water pond/tank retaining Any perennial fresh water pond/tank retaining water depth of 2 metres can be used for fish water depth of 2 metres can be used for fish culture purpose. However, the minimum level culture purpose. However, the minimum level should not fall below one metre. should not fall below one metre.

Fish species involved in composite Fish species involved in composite fish culturefish culture

Depending on the compatibility and type of Depending on the compatibility and type of feeding habits of the fishes, the following types feeding habits of the fishes, the following types of fishes of Indian as well as Exotic varieties of fishes of Indian as well as Exotic varieties have been identified and recommended for have been identified and recommended for culture in the composite fish culture technology. culture in the composite fish culture technology.

Species Feeding habit- Feeding zoneSpecies Feeding habit- Feeding zone

Indian Major CarpIndian Major Carp Catla Catla Zooplankton feeder Surface feeder Zooplankton feeder Surface feeder Rohu Rohu Omnivorous Column feeder Omnivorous Column feeder Mrigal Mrigal Detritivorous Bottom feeder Detritivorous Bottom feeder

Exotic carpsExotic carps Silver carp Silver carp Phytoplankton feeder Surface feeder Phytoplankton feeder Surface feeder Grass carp Grass carp Herbivorous Surface, column and Herbivorous Surface, column and

marginal areas marginal areas Common carp Common carp Detritivorous/ Bottom feederDetritivorous/ Bottom feeder

OmnivorousOmnivorous

Catla catla

Labeo rohita

Cirrhinus mrigala

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Ctenopharyngodon idella) –

Cyprinus carpio

..

Cyprinus Carpio var. Communis - Cyprinus Carpio var. Communis - Scale Scale

CarpCarp

Cyprinus Carpio var. specularis -Mirror CarpCyprinus Carpio var. specularis -Mirror Carp..

Cyprinus Carpio var. nudus - Leather CarpCyprinus Carpio var. nudus - Leather CarpCyprinus CarpioCyprinus Carpio

PotentialPotential The area under tanks and ponds available The area under tanks and ponds available

for warm fresh water aquaculture is estimated to for warm fresh water aquaculture is estimated to be 2.85 million ha. be 2.85 million ha.

In addition 0.78 million ha of swamps, In addition 0.78 million ha of swamps, bheels, etc. and low lying water logged area not bheels, etc. and low lying water logged area not good for agriculture as also any agriculture land good for agriculture as also any agriculture land can be converted for fish farming. can be converted for fish farming.

Out of the total inland fish production Out of the total inland fish production around 60% is contributed by the culture sector.around 60% is contributed by the culture sector.

The average productivity from ponds at present The average productivity from ponds at present is to the tune of 2160 kg/ha/year. This shows the is to the tune of 2160 kg/ha/year. This shows the tremendous scope for fish culture in the country. tremendous scope for fish culture in the country.

The area of 4.56 lakh ha brought under scientific The area of 4.56 lakh ha brought under scientific fish culture by 1997-98 is only 16% of the fish culture by 1997-98 is only 16% of the potential area of tanks and ponds available for potential area of tanks and ponds available for development showing immense possibilities for development showing immense possibilities for horizontal expansion of composite fish culture. horizontal expansion of composite fish culture.

Technical parameters that needs to be considered for Technical parameters that needs to be considered for

Composite Fish Culture project are as follows :Composite Fish Culture project are as follows : 1. Selection of Pond1. Selection of Pond

The main criteria to be kept in mind while selecting the The main criteria to be kept in mind while selecting the pondis that the soil should be water retentive, adequate pondis that the soil should be water retentive, adequate supply of water is assured and that the pond is not in a supply of water is assured and that the pond is not in a flood prone area. flood prone area.

Derelict, semiderelict or swampy ponds can be renovated Derelict, semiderelict or swampy ponds can be renovated for fish culture by dewatering, desiltingfor fish culture by dewatering, desilting, , repair of the repair of the embankments and provision of inlet and outlet. embankments and provision of inlet and outlet.

The pond may be owned by the individual or taken on The pond may be owned by the individual or taken on lease in which case the lease period should be more or lease in which case the lease period should be more or coterminous with the repayment period.coterminous with the repayment period.

The eligible items of pond development are as The eligible items of pond development are as follows:follows:

i) Desilting of existing ponds i) Desilting of existing ponds

ii) Deepening of shallow ponds.ii) Deepening of shallow ponds.

iii) Excavation of new ponds.iii) Excavation of new ponds.

iv) Impoundment of marginal areas of water bodies.iv) Impoundment of marginal areas of water bodies.

v) Construction / repairs of Embankments.v) Construction / repairs of Embankments.

vi) Construction of Inlets / Outlets.vi) Construction of Inlets / Outlets.

vii) Any other item like civil structures, watchmen huts, vii) Any other item like civil structures, watchmen huts, water supply arrangements / electricity supply water supply arrangements / electricity supply arrangements etc. depending on requirements of the arrangements etc. depending on requirements of the project based on its size etc.project based on its size etc.

Drying of pondDrying of pond

2. Pond Management2. Pond Management

Pond Management plays a very important Pond Management plays a very important role in fish farming before and after the role in fish farming before and after the stocking of fish seed. stocking of fish seed.

Various measures that are required to be Various measures that are required to be undertaken in pre and post stocking undertaken in pre and post stocking practices are tabulated below. practices are tabulated below.

A) A) PRE STOCKING MANAGEMENTPRE STOCKING MANAGEMENT In case of new ponds, prestocking operations starts with In case of new ponds, prestocking operations starts with

liming and filling of the pond with water. However, the first liming and filling of the pond with water. However, the first step for existing pond requiring development deals with step for existing pond requiring development deals with clearing the pond of unwanted weeds and fishes either by clearing the pond of unwanted weeds and fishes either by manual, mechanical or chemical means. Different methods manual, mechanical or chemical means. Different methods are employed for this are- are employed for this are-

i) i) Removal of weeds by Manual/Mechanical or through Removal of weeds by Manual/Mechanical or through Chemical means. Chemical means.

ii) ii) Removal of unwanted and predatory fishes and other Removal of unwanted and predatory fishes and other animals by repeated netting or using mahua oil cake @ 2500 animals by repeated netting or using mahua oil cake @ 2500 kg/ha metre or by sun drying the pond bed. kg/ha metre or by sun drying the pond bed.

Hand tools Used for Manual Control of Hand tools Used for Manual Control of

Aquatic WeedsAquatic Weeds

PoisonPoison Dose (kg/ha/m)Dose (kg/ha/m)

Bleaching powderBleaching powder 350 – 500350 – 500

Mahua oil cakeMahua oil cake 25002500

Anhydrous ammoniaAnhydrous ammonia 20 – 3020 – 30

Tea seed cake (Tea seed cake (Camellia sinensisCamellia sinensis)) 750750

iii) Liming - iii) Liming - The tanks which are acidic in nature The tanks which are acidic in nature are less productive than alkaline ponds.are less productive than alkaline ponds.

Lime is used to bring the pH to the desired level. Lime is used to bring the pH to the desired level. In addition lime also has the following effects – In addition lime also has the following effects –

a) Increases the pH. a) Increases the pH.

b) Acts as buffer and avoids fluctuations of pH. b) Acts as buffer and avoids fluctuations of pH.

c) It increases the resistance of soil to parasites. c) It increases the resistance of soil to parasites.

d) Its toxic effect kills the parasites; and d) Its toxic effect kills the parasites; and

e) It hastens organic decomposition. e) It hastens organic decomposition.

LimingLiming Limestone ( CaCOLimestone ( CaCO33) is used) is used

Quantity based on pH of waterQuantity based on pH of water

LimingLiming

iv) Fertilization :iv) Fertilization :

Fertilization of the pond is an important means of Fertilization of the pond is an important means of intensifying fish culture by increasing the natural intensifying fish culture by increasing the natural productivity of the pond. productivity of the pond.

The fertilizer programme has to be suitably The fertilizer programme has to be suitably modified depending on the growth of the fish, modified depending on the growth of the fish, available food reserve in the pond, physico available food reserve in the pond, physico chemical conditions of the pond and climatic chemical conditions of the pond and climatic conditions. conditions.

a) Organic a) Organic

b) Inorganic: b) Inorganic:

Organic Fertilizers Any manure produced by organism Any manure produced by organism or animal is called organic manure e.g. cow dung or or animal is called organic manure e.g. cow dung or poultry litter. Such manure contains many elements of poultry litter. Such manure contains many elements of which nitrogen and phosphorous are most important to which nitrogen and phosphorous are most important to produce organisms in the pond water. produce organisms in the pond water.

In organic Fertilizers –These are simple inorganic compounds which primarily contain at least one or more elements of NPK. Due to their high solubility in water the nutrients become readily available soon after their application. As the inorganic fertilizer contains nitrogen and phosphorous in concentrated form, so they are used in less quantity than the organic manure.

A combination of both Organic and Inorganic fertilizers A combination of both Organic and Inorganic fertilizers may be used for best results. may be used for best results.

ManuringManuring

B) STOCKINGB) STOCKING MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

The pond will be ready for stocking after 15 days The pond will be ready for stocking after 15 days of application of fertilizers. of application of fertilizers.

Fish fingerlings of 10 cm size (approx) should be Fish fingerlings of 10 cm size (approx) should be used for stocking @ 5000 nos. per hectare. used for stocking @ 5000 nos. per hectare. However if fingerlings of smaller size are used, However if fingerlings of smaller size are used, suitable allowance may be made accounting for suitable allowance may be made accounting for mortality.mortality.

Depending on availability of seed and market Depending on availability of seed and market condition, stocking can be of 3, 4 or 6 species condition, stocking can be of 3, 4 or 6 species combination in the following ratio. combination in the following ratio.

Species combination (ratio)Species combination (ratio)

SpeciesSpecies 3-species 3-species 4-species 4-species 6-species 6-species

CatlaCatla 4.0 4.0 3.0 3.0 1.5 1.5

RohuRohu 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.0 3.0 2.0

MrigalMrigal 3.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.5

Silver CarpSilver Carp - - - - 1.5 1.5

Grass CarpGrass Carp - - - - 1.5 1.5

Common CarpCommon Carp - - 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0

Method of stockingMethod of stocking

Stocking of spawn, fry and fingerlings should be done Stocking of spawn, fry and fingerlings should be done very carefully to avoid any post-stocking mortality due to very carefully to avoid any post-stocking mortality due to shock or infections. shock or infections.

To minimize post-stocking mortality the fry/fingerlings To minimize post-stocking mortality the fry/fingerlings should be slowly and gradually acclimatized to the should be slowly and gradually acclimatized to the temperature and quality of the water in the stocking temperature and quality of the water in the stocking pond.pond.

To do so, open the mouth of the seed transport To do so, open the mouth of the seed transport bag/container and gradually add the pond water in bag/container and gradually add the pond water in phases and after 15–20 minutes slowly dip and tilt the phases and after 15–20 minutes slowly dip and tilt the bag/container in the pond so that the bag/container in the pond so that the spawn/fry/fingerlings are free to swim out. Stocking spawn/fry/fingerlings are free to swim out. Stocking should preferably be done in the cool evening hours.should preferably be done in the cool evening hours.

C)C) POST-STOCKING MANAGEMENTPOST-STOCKING MANAGEMENT

Post-stocking management involves Post-stocking management involves harnessing the pond productivity in the harnessing the pond productivity in the form of natural fish food, maintenance of form of natural fish food, maintenance of pond environment congenial to the pond environment congenial to the cultivated fish and fish husbandry, mainly cultivated fish and fish husbandry, mainly feeding and health care.feeding and health care.

FeedingFeeding Soon after stocking, the fish start grazing natural food Soon after stocking, the fish start grazing natural food

available in the pond irrespective of their stage of life available in the pond irrespective of their stage of life cycle.cycle.

Spawn feeds voraciously on plankton. Therefore, Spawn feeds voraciously on plankton. Therefore, immediate steps must be taken for providing immediate steps must be taken for providing supplementary feed. supplementary feed.

In the case of nursery ponds where spawn are reared for In the case of nursery ponds where spawn are reared for about a fortnight up to fry stage, supplementary feed is about a fortnight up to fry stage, supplementary feed is broadcast on the pond surface in the form of fine powder broadcast on the pond surface in the form of fine powder daily in the morning hours at prescribed rates. daily in the morning hours at prescribed rates.

Supplementary feedingSupplementary feeding

Fishes need much more food than what is Fishes need much more food than what is available naturally in the pond.available naturally in the pond.

Fishes can be fed with a mixture of bran and Fishes can be fed with a mixture of bran and oilcake in equal quantities daily. oilcake in equal quantities daily.

The feed should be placed on a bamboo tray and The feed should be placed on a bamboo tray and lowered to the pond bottom or it can be sprayed lowered to the pond bottom or it can be sprayed at the corners. at the corners.

After some time the fishes will get used to this After some time the fishes will get used to this type of feeding and aggregate at the same place type of feeding and aggregate at the same place at particular time. at particular time.

Supplementary feedingSupplementary feeding

Rates of daily supplementary feeding at Rates of daily supplementary feeding at various stages of culturevarious stages of culture

Stage Daily feeding rate

Spawn to fry 4–8 times of the initial body weight

Fry to fingerlings 4-8 times the initial body weight (twice a day)

Growers 2 – 3% of body weight

Brood fish 2 –3% of body weight

FertilizationFertilization Periodic fertilization, which ensures replenishment of Periodic fertilization, which ensures replenishment of

nutrients and consolidation of the energy base for nutrients and consolidation of the energy base for microbial decomposition activities. microbial decomposition activities.

Lime should be applied first followed by the organic Lime should be applied first followed by the organic manure and finally the inorganic fertilizers. manure and finally the inorganic fertilizers.

These fertilizers should be applied only when the physical These fertilizers should be applied only when the physical conditions of the water are most suitable. conditions of the water are most suitable.

Inorganic fertilization may be done at monthly intervals Inorganic fertilization may be done at monthly intervals alternating with organic manuring. alternating with organic manuring.

It should be ensured that excess fertilization does not take It should be ensured that excess fertilization does not take place, which may result in bloom/swarmsplace, which may result in bloom/swarms

AerationAerationAeration is a mechanical process of bringing the water in Aeration is a mechanical process of bringing the water in intimate contact with air, with an aim of adding oxygen to intimate contact with air, with an aim of adding oxygen to water. More simply, aeration is the addition of oxygen to water. More simply, aeration is the addition of oxygen to water.water.

Dissolved oxygen content (DO) is probably the single most Dissolved oxygen content (DO) is probably the single most important environmental factor to limit production in closed important environmental factor to limit production in closed or semi-closed aquaculture systems. or semi-closed aquaculture systems.

This limitation stems from the relatively high oxygen This limitation stems from the relatively high oxygen demand imposed by aerobic organisms within the system, demand imposed by aerobic organisms within the system, relatively low solubility of oxygen in water and deliberate relatively low solubility of oxygen in water and deliberate reduction of two natural sources of DO – photosynthesis reduction of two natural sources of DO – photosynthesis and freshwater exchange. and freshwater exchange.

HarvestingHarvesting Growth rate of the fish, market demand, desired market Growth rate of the fish, market demand, desired market

size, availability of seed and pond condition, are the major size, availability of seed and pond condition, are the major considerations for deciding on the time of harvesting. considerations for deciding on the time of harvesting.

Complete harvestingComplete harvesting Usually the carp species attain marketable size within one Usually the carp species attain marketable size within one

year and hence the shorter rearing period of less than a year and hence the shorter rearing period of less than a year is not recommended unless there is an exceptional year is not recommended unless there is an exceptional threat of flood or outbreak of disease, or for financial threat of flood or outbreak of disease, or for financial reasons. reasons.

Partial harvestingPartial harvesting Possibility of partial harvesting very much depends on the Possibility of partial harvesting very much depends on the

availability of fingerlings of desired carp species.availability of fingerlings of desired carp species.

In such cases the fish already reached the In such cases the fish already reached the marketable size should be harvested and the marketable size should be harvested and the stock should be replenished. stock should be replenished.

Usually fish over 500 g should be harvested Usually fish over 500 g should be harvested every 3–4 months with simultaneous stocking every 3–4 months with simultaneous stocking with fingerlings. with fingerlings.

Such partial harvesting programme should be Such partial harvesting programme should be synchronized with peak market demands synchronized with peak market demands depending on seasons, festivals, etc. depending on seasons, festivals, etc.

HarvestingHarvesting

Harvesting fish from ponds with an internal harvesting sump

Harvesting fish using a brailer

Harvesting salmon from net cages

3) Vertical expansion of fish culture3) Vertical expansion of fish culture

A number of measures are now being employed by the A number of measures are now being employed by the entrepreneurs to increase the per hectare production of entrepreneurs to increase the per hectare production of fish. fish.

Important measures adopted are stocking of Yearlings Important measures adopted are stocking of Yearlings by stunning the growth of fish seed during first year, by stunning the growth of fish seed during first year, heavy stocking and multiple harvesting after the fishes heavy stocking and multiple harvesting after the fishes attain a size of 500 gms., attain a size of 500 gms.,

Multiple stocking and multiple harvesting, use of Multiple stocking and multiple harvesting, use of aerators, integrated fish farming with animal husbandry aerators, integrated fish farming with animal husbandry activities like dairy, poultry, piggery or duckery to get activities like dairy, poultry, piggery or duckery to get daily organic manuring to the pond thus increasing its daily organic manuring to the pond thus increasing its fertilityfertility

Economics of composite Economics of composite fish culturefish culture

S.No.S.No. ItemsItems QuantityQuantity Rate Rate (Rs.)(Rs.)

Amount Amount (Rs.)(Rs.)

A.A. Expenses Expenses

1.1. Lease amount of Lease amount of pond (ha)pond (ha)

OneOne 1200012000 1200012000

2.2. Pond repairs Pond repairs depreciated cost depreciated cost (ha)(ha)

OneOne 1200012000 1200012000

3.3. Water charges (ha)Water charges (ha) OneOne 60006000 60006000

4.4. Liming (kg)Liming (kg) 250250 3.003.00 750750

5.5. Raw cattle dung (kg)Raw cattle dung (kg) 10,00010,000 0.500.50 50005000

6.6. Single super Single super phosphate (kg)phosphate (kg)

500500 3.003.00 15001500

7.7. Urea (kg)Urea (kg) 250250 5.005.00 12501250

8.8. Fish seedFish seed 20,00020,000 90/100090/1000 18001800

9.9. Supplementary feed (kg)Supplementary feed (kg) 20002000 5.05.0 10,00010,000

10.10. Growth promoters and premix, Growth promoters and premix,

labour charges,labour charges,

contingencycontingency--

--

--

--

TOTALTOTAL

15,00015,000

--

--

6530065300

B.B. Income Income

Production of fish (kg) Production of fish (kg) 42004200 4040 168000168000

C.C. Net profit (B-A)Net profit (B-A) 102700102700