Abstract
A one year feeding trial was conducted on carps i.e. Catla (Cattla cattla), Mrigal (Cirhinus mrigala) and Rohu (Labeo rohita) to find out appropriate level of fishmeal in diet and their effects on growth, survival and biomass in intensive polyculture. Three different inclusions of fishmeal were used in experimental diets (25%, 35% and 45%). Highest average daily growth was observed by 25% fish meal diet (2.18g, 2.19g and 2.34g for catla, rohu and mrigal respectively), whereas 35% fish meal based diet was next by showing 1.63g average daily growth for catla, 1.73g for rohu and 1.67g for mrigal. Mean values of monthly weight again and average daily growth showed significant differences among treatments. Growth was found to be higher in C. mrigala in case of 25% and 45% and L. rohita in case of 35% fish meal. Minimum FCR was obtained by 25% FM based diets as 3.53±0.41 followed by 45% (3.82±0.33) and 35% (4.05±0.45). The findings of this research trial determine the optimum dietary level of fishmeal and its effectiveness as an important ingredient in diets of Indian major carps. It is proved that a feed by the combination of animal and plant protein is much preferable by carps as compare to a feed with higher concentration of fish meal.
Keywords:
fishmeal; carps; fish farming; polyculture; protein