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Effects of Artificial Feeds on Growth and Production of Fishes in Polyculture

M.A. Hosen
Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. Shahjahan*
Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M.S. Rahman
Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M.J. Alam
Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study on the effects of artificial feeds on growth and production of fishes along with some limnological conditions were conducted in polyculture system. Species of Indian major carp (Cirrhinus mrigala) and exotic fishes (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix and Oreochromis niloticus) were stocked in six ponds under two treatments, each with three replications. Stocking rate in both treatments was 100 fish per decimal at the ratio of silver carp: tilapia: mrigal = 2: 2: 1. Fertilization and artificial feeds were given in Ttreatment 1 (T₁) and only fertilization was done in Treatment 2 (T₂). Wheat bran, rice bran and soybean meal were given daily as artificial feed in T₁ in the ratio of wheat bran: rice bran: soybean meal = 2: 2: 1 (by wt). Urea, T.S.P and cow dung were applied fortnightly at the rate of 60 g deci-1 , 90 g deci^-1 and 2 kg deci^-1 respectively. Water temperature, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, free CO₂, total alkalinity, PO₄-P and NO₃-N were determined fortnightly and phytoplankton and zooplankton were studied fortnightly. These limnological conditions were more or less similar in the ponds under two treatments and were within suitable ranges. Calculated gross and net yields of fish were 16.56 and 12.48 ton ha^-1 respectively in case of fertilization and artificial feeding application (T₁) and 9.99 and 5.91 ton ha^-1 respectively in case of only fertilization (T₂). Application of artificial feed in T₁ significantly increased the growth and production of fish more than two times which indicates that artificial feeding in polyculture is very useful for increasing fish production.

Keywords: Artificial Feed, Aquaculture, Polyculture, Fertilizer, Water Quality

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Fish

Objectives:

in the present study, we examined the effects of artificial feeding on the growth and production of fishes along with limnological conditions in polyculture system.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted for a period of 105 days in the earthen ponds each measuring 1 decimal (40 m²) area at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Pond preparation Before fish stocking water of the experimental ponds were drained out to eradicate all the undesirable fishes, renovated and liming was done in all the ponds at the rate of 1 kg 40 m^-2. Ponds were filled up with deep tube-well water and fertilized with cow dung 10 kg, urea 100 g and TSP 100 g per decimal as initial doses. Stocking of fish Ponds were stocked at a stocking density of 100 fingerlings per decimal (40 m²) at the ratio of tilapia: silver carp: mrigal = 2: 2: 1. Fertilization and supply of artificial feed The ponds were fertilized fortnightly with cow dung 2 kg, urea 60 g and TSP 90 g per 40 m² to grow natural food, phytoplankton and zooplankton. Three ingredients such as wheat bran, rice bran and soybean meal were applied as supplementary feed once daily in the morning between 8.00 and 9.00 a.m. The required amount of feed was mixed with a little amount of water to make it into thick 'dough' rolled into balls. The balls were then thrown into the ponds. Supplementary feed was supplied in T₁ and T₂ was control (no supplementary feed was supplied). Feed was supplied every day at the rate of 5% of the total fish biomass. Fish sampling was carried out at an interval of 15 days in order to calculate the increase in total wt. and to adjust the amount of feed. Ratio of artificial feed ingredients was, wheat bran: rice bran: soybean meal = 4: 4: 2 (by wt.). Physico-chemical parameters Various physical and chemical parameters of the ponds such as water temperature (°C), transparency (cm), dissolved oxygen (mg L-1), pH, free CO2 (mg L^-1), total alkalinity (mg L^-1), PO4-P (mg L^-1) and NO₃-N (mg L^-1) were estimated fortnightly. Water temperature was recorded with a Celsius thermometer and transparency was measured with a Secchi disc of 30 cm diameter. Dissolved oxygen was measured directly with a DO meter (Lutron, DO-5509) and a portable digital pH meter was used to measure pH. Free CO₂ and total alkalinity were determined by titrimetric method (APHA, 1992). PO4-P (mg L^-1) and NO₃-N (mg L^-1) were determined by a Hach Kit (DR/2010, a direct reading Spectrophotometer). Study of planktons Biological parameters of the ponds such as phytoplankton density (cells L^-1) and zooplankton density (cells L^-1) were estimated fortnightly. The counting of plankton (both phytoplankton and zooplankton) was done with the help of Sedgwick-Rafter Counting Cell (S-R cell) under a compound binocular microscope. The plankton population was determined by using the formula of Rahman (1992). Identification of plankton (phytoplankton and zooplankton) up to generic level were made according to Prescott (1964), Needham and Needham (1963) and Belcher and Swale (1978). Study of growth and production of fish At the end of the experiment, all fish were harvested through repeated netting by a seine net to calculate gross and net production of fish. Statistical analysis A computer using SPSS package programme did T-test of net fish production of the ponds under T₁ and T₂.

Source of Information: Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 11-15, December, 2014 ISSN: 2224-0616

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In conclusion, effects of artificial feeds on the growth and production of fishes along with some limnological conditions were conducted in polyculture system under two treatments. In T₁, the fishes were reared with artificial feeding and fertilization and in T₂, fishes were reared with only fertilization. Physico-chemical and biological parameters were more or less similar in the ponds under two treatments and were within suitable ranges. The net fish production was more than two times higher in T₁ compared to T₂ indicated that artificial feeding might play a vital role in pond fish culture to increase production of fishes in polyculture system.

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