Survival rate and growth performance of Cyprinus carpio L. in intensively cultivated rice fields

In the freshwater area of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Barbodes gonionotus (Bleeker), Cyprinus carpio L. and Oreochromis niloticus (L.) are often reared together in rice fields. The survival rate and specific growth rate (SGR) of C. carpio showed a large variance. To understand the underlying reasons for this variation, we used multiple regressions for the variables SGR and survival rate, using the results of eight experiments in such polycultures at the Co Do rice–fish experimental station. The SGR of C. carpio declined with increasing rice density. Interspecific competition with O. niloticus also had a negative effect on C. carpio SGR. When fertilizer or manure is added to the trench of the rice–fish field or when extra food can be given to the fish, O. niloticus seems more appropriate than C. carpio. The survival rate of C. carpio depended on season, C. carpio stocking weight and density and the biomass of wild fish species. To obtain higher survival rates, one should stock fewer fish but of a larger size, after thorough eradication of wild fish species.     

Comparison of food selection and growth performance of koi carp, Cyprinus carpio L., and goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.) in mono- and polyculture rearing in tropical ponds

To compare the effect of polyculture against conventional monoculture on ornamental carp production, investigations on food selection and growth performance of koi carp (K), Cyprinus carpio L. and goldfish (G), Carassius auratus (L.) were conducted in a 11‐week rearing experiment in two monoculture (100% K and 100% G) and five polyculture (90% K–10% G, 70% K–30% G, 50% K–50% G, 30% K–70% G and 10% K–90% G) conditions in tropical ponds. There were three replicates for each treatment. Environmental conditions and food availability were similar in all the treatments. Ivlev's electivity index showed that both fish species avoided phytoplankton and preferred cladocerans to other zooplankton groups (copepods and rotifers) in monotypic conditions. However, in the polyculture treatments, the positive electivity of goldfish towards cladocerans reduced significantly (P<0.05), while the percentage of copepods, rotifers and phytoplankton in the gut content increased. No significant differences in weight gain, specific growth rate and deformities were recorded at harvest for koi carp between the different treatments (P>0.05). Even the survival rate of koi carp recorded above 90% in all the treatments. However, the goldfish recorded significantly better weight gain, specific growth rate and survival in monoculture (100% G), compared with the polyculture treatments (P<0.05). Goldfish deformities were lowest (P<0.05) in the monoculture treatment (2.42%). The number of marketable fish above a set size limit of 4 g total weight was significantly higher in the two monoculture treatments, compared with the five polyculture treatments (P<0.05). Keeping in view of the dietary similarities of koi carp and goldfish, and the aggressive nature of koi carp in polyculture, it is suggested to refrain from polyculture of goldfish and koi carp until further documentations relating to optimum stocking density and management of polyculture of ornamental carps are available.     

Evaluation of shrimp polyculture system in Thailand based on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios

ABSTRACT: To quantify the contribution by cocultured animals to waste assimilation in an intensive shrimp farm in Thailand, the food web structures of the macrobenthos in a reservoir pond, a shrimp culture pond and water treatment ponds were examined using the stable C and N isotope ratio technique. Seawater for aquaculture was drawn from a creek, and stored in a reservoir pond, used for farming the banana prawn Fenneropenaeus merguiensis in culture ponds, and then recycled through treatment ponds where the green mussel Perna viridis was cultured to remove organic wastes discharged from the farming. The clam worm Nereididae sp. and the mud creeper Cerithideopsilla cingulata in the culture pond had δ ¹³C values of −21.0‰ and −18.4‰, respectively, suggesting that shrimp feed (mean δ ¹³C = −20.7‰) was the main food source for these species. The δ ¹³C analysis also suggested that sediments (−23.7‰) in the reservoir pond and particulate organic matter (POM) (−24.0‰) and/or sediments (−25.0‰) in the treatment pond supplied carbon for most macrobenthic animals. However, green mussels in the treatment pond had a mean δ ¹³C value of −20.5‰, suggesting that shrimp feed was the main food source for this species.     

Effects of stocking density on production and economics of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) polyculture in periphyton-based systems

The present research investigated the effect of stocking density on pond (75 m², depth 1.2 m) production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) stocked at a fixed 3:1 tilapia:prawn ratio. Three stocking densities were tried in triplicate: 20 000 ha⁻¹ (treatment TP‐20), 30 000 ha⁻¹ (TP‐30) and 40 000 ha⁻¹ (TP‐40). The ponds were provided with bamboo as substrate for periphyton development. Bamboo poles (mean diameter 5.5 cm and 5.0 poles m⁻²) were posted vertically into pond bottoms, resulting in 60% additional substrate area in each pond. On average, 43 genera of algae and 17 genera of zooplankton were identified from pond water, whereas 42 genera of algae and six genera of microfauna were attached to bamboo substrates. No differences were observed between treatments in the ash‐free dry matter (AFDM), chlorophyll a and phaeophytin a content of periphyton (P>0.05). Survival of tilapia and prawn and individual weight gain of tilapia were lower (P<0.05) in treatment TP‐40. The net yields were higher (P<0.05) in treatments TP‐30 (2209 and 163 kg ha⁻¹ 105 day⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively) and TP‐40 (2162 and 141 kg ha⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively) than in treatment TP‐20 (1505 and 136 kg ha⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively). The net tilapia yields were quadratic correlated (R²=0.92) with fish stocking density. The cost–benefit analysis shows that the net profit margin was highest in treatment TP‐30 (69%), followed by TP‐20 (50%) and TP‐40 (44%).     

Growth performance of Trichogaster pectoralis Regan in intensively cultivated rice fields

Trichogaster pectoralis Regan is often cultured successfully in rice fields in South‐east Asia. However, since the advent of high‐yielding rice varieties and intensive rice cropping, several reports suggest poorer growth performance of the species. In this paper, we investigated the growth performance of T. pectoralis in rice–fish systems characterized by intensive rice culture and extensive to semi‐intensive polyculture of Oreochromis niloticus (L.), Cyprinus carpio L. and Barbodes gonionotus (Bleeker). In these systems, T. pectoralis recorded negative net productions. This was mainly the result of a negative specific growth rate (SGR) when fish had to stay in the trench (?0.519% body weight day^?1) or when fish had free access to the rice crop (?0.081). Only when harvested rice plants were allowed to generate new tillers (ratooning) did T. pectoralis perform slightly better (0.453% body weight day^?1). The SGR of T. pectoralis was low owing to a lack of food in intensive rice systems. The other species, all with SGR values higher than 1% body weight day^?1, clearly had a competitive advantage over T. pectoralis. We concluded that intensification of rice cropping did indeed result in poor T. pectoralis growth. Successful T. pectoralis culture is only possible in areas of traditional rice cropping.     

南美白对虾与长吻鱼危生态混养试验

为研究新型的生态养殖模式,降低南美白对虾单一品种养殖风险,于 2022 年 6-10 月开展了南美白对虾与长吻鱼危生态混养试验,并与传统的南美白对虾池塘单养模式进行对比分析.结果显示:单养模式下南美白对虾的产量为(4 011.3±1 083.6)kg/hm2,规格 70～90 尾/kg,成活率为(69.4±7.9)%.混养模式下虾的产量为(3 650.0±663.4)kg/hm2,规格 40～70 尾/kg,成活率为(45.4±5.0)%,单养模式和混养模式虾的成活率差异显著(P<0.05).长吻鱼危放养规格(91.9±26.8)g/尾,放养密度 1 500 尾/hm2,收获规格(449.3±103.7)g/尾,成活率(98.0±1.9)%,混养模式较单养模式获得了 29 170 元/hm2 的增收.试验结果表明,混养相对于单养,在几乎没有增加其他养殖成本的情况下,保证了南美白对虾的养殖收益,同时收获了较好的长吻鱼危养殖效益,提高了养殖生产总收益.     

Review of Nutrient Management in Freshwater Polyculture

Abstract

One of the most important issues concerning fish-pond fertilization is the determination of the optimal amount of fertilizer to be applied to the pond system. Another important concern is the suitability of fish species for polyculture in order to optimize production. The dynamics of nutrients, phytoplankton, and fish is a complex subject and practitioners are often compelled to formulate solutions without detailed scientific and practical consideration. The primary objective of pond fertilization is to maintain an optimal nutrient concentration for sustained biological production. Current fertilization practices in the Asia-Pacific region include: a fixed rate of fertilization and fertilization based on water color. Individual pond ecology determines how fertilization affects pond productivity, not the pond's physical location in relation to international borders. There is no universal recipe of “maximal” fertilization rates due to pond-specific variability. There is also no clear guide in the literature with regard to many aspects of fish-food; the type of organisms consumed, mechanisms of food consumption, and the digestibility and nutritive value of plankton. The usual practice is to divide fish according to their foraging in natural habitats; feeding on phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoo benthos, or detritus. The distinction between different feeding habits is not always absolute as many species of fish may change food preference depending on the abundance of different food items. This paper reviews the nutrient (nitrogen, N and phosphorus, P) management in regard to pond fertilization; use of organic and inorganic fertilizer and the impacts on fish production; use of organic fertilizer from different organisms (pig, cow and buffalo) and their interactions with primary production and water quality; optimum N:P concentration in pond water; and individual pond factors and their influence on fish production. A significant interaction was evident with time between water quality variables such as pH and alkalinity, and other factors, including manure type and fish species composition. This was reflected in the difference between pig and cow manure treatments. A significant interaction between species composition and fish production has been demonstrated. Fish survival and biomass production was influenced by the stocking ratio of the: rohu, Labeo rohita; mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala; and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. The recommended nutrient level for pond fertilization based on the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1 (RIA#1) study is 1 ppm N:0.5 ppm P. The required quantity of fertilizer varies significantly with time. However, regional research is highly recommended to optimize fish production focusing on significant climate variability, which affects both primary and secondary production.