Fayyaz Rasool

Effect of similar feeding regime on growth and body composition of Indian major carps ( Catla catla , Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo rohita ) under mono and polyculture

Growth performance and body composition of yearling Indian major carps (Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo rohita) was evaluated in semi-intensive (mono and polyculture) systems for 90 days. Prior to stocking, all ponds were fertilized with organic and inorganic manures. This application was repeated every two weeks throughout the study period. Supplementary feed containing 35% protein was applied daily at 3% of wet body weight. In trial 1, all the three species gained significantly higher weights with experimental feed (F1) versus control group (F0). There was non-significant difference observed among species. In trial 2, non-significant difference was observed for net weight gain among species and between feeds. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein utilization (PU), gross nitrogen retention efficiency (GNRE%) and gross energy retention efficiency (GERE%) were found non-significantly different among species in both trials, except GNRE% in polyculture, where L. rohita showed significantly higher values than its counterparts. No significant difference was observed in body composition and mineral contents among species and between feeds in both trials. In conclusion, all the three fish species performed well under monoculture system with 35% protein diet and showed significantly higher growth than the control, compared to polyculture, without any significant effect on body composition.

Influence of Feeding Frequency on Growth performance and Body Indices of Goldfish (Carrassius auratus)

A total of forty goldfish (Carrassius auratus) with an average weight of 20 g per fish were stocked in individual glass aquaria having 50-L water holding capacity. There were 4 experimental feeding regimens A, B, C, and D having once twice, thrice and four times per day, respectively. All the groups received Nova Aquarium Fish Food @ 2% bodyweight which was equally spaced in treatment groups. The body weight, body and caudal lengths, and girth were recorded at the start of the experiment. The trial continued for 8 weeks. Group B yielded the maximum weight gain whereas group D yielded lowest weight (P<0.05). Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was better in Feed A and depreciated with increasing frequency (P<0.05). Caudal fin showed significant correlation with weight (+ 0.548; P<0.001) and length (- 0.792; P<0.0001). A positive correlation of dissolved oxygen (DO; P<0.001) and salinity (P<0.0001) showed with temperature. Salinity showed positive significant correlation with temperature (P<0.05). Consequently, feeding frequency twice per day is better for maximum body weight gain however better feed efficiency can be obtained at feed frequency once per day. However goldfish require genetic improvement for its rearing at commercial scale.