Fish productivity enhancement through aquaculture diversification with small indigenous species Esomus danricus

To meet the ever-mounting demand of fresh fish in many NE States, an attempt was made on fish productivity enhancement through composite culture of self-recruiting small indigenous species Esomus danricus (Darkina) in earthen pond condition. The duration of study was eight months. Three treatments with replication of each treatment thrice were evaluated. Treatment-1 (T1) contained three Indian major carps (IMCs), i.e., Catla, Rohu and Mrigal (4:3:3), Treatment-2 (T2) contained IMCs with E. danricus (10000 numbers/ha) and Treatment-3 (T3) contained IMCs with E. danricus (5000 numbers/ha) and Amblypharyngodon mola (5000 numbers/ha). The stocking density of IMCs was 10000 fingerlings/ha. Floating feed (20-22% CP) was used @ 2-4% to feed the fish. The populations of E. danricus and A. mola were thinned at three months interval. Water quality parameters were assessed monthly and there was normal variation. The fish growth was also assessed monthly and there was 5.5per cent higher fish production in T2 and 1.1 per cent higher in T3 when compared with T1. Fish productivity was reduced in T3 due to significant dietary overlap between the cohabiting species. The benefit-cost ratio was 4.5 per cent higher in T2. Thus, it was concluded there is potential of production and income enhancement through culture of E. danricus with IMCs at almost no extra cost.