all about the composite fish cultyre like ratio, feed etc.

1. Prepared by:-
Krishan Kumar Yadav
M.F.Sc -1st Year
COLLEGE OF FISHERIES ,UDAIPUR

2. INTRODUCTION
• Basically, it is a fish culture in which more than one type of
compatible fish is cultured simultaneously.
• Fuller utilization of the pond's productivity for maximization of fish
yield, the aim in composite fish culture.
• This method enables maximum fish yield/production from a pond
through utilization of available fish feed.
• Carp culture is a highly economic and profitable enterprise. Among
many fish farming practices, the composite fish culture is one, which
a common fish farmer can easily adopt with comparatively less
investment to have more production and income than the
traditional farming practice.

3. ADVANTAGES OF COMPOSITE FISH CULTURE:-
• composite fish culture is the most advanced &
popular culture technique practiced in the
country.
• The main advantage of composite fish culture is
high production by utilizing feed in the pond
effectively.
• In this system , farmers can supply different
species based on the market demand.

4. FISH INVOLVED IN COMPOSITE FISH CULTURE:
• Depending on the compatibility & feeding habits of the fishes, the following varieties of fishes
of India as well as Exotic types have been identified & recommended for the composite fish
culture system.
•

5. Rohu Omnivorous Column feeder
Catla Zoo plankton feeder Surface feeder
Mrigal Omnivorous Bottom feeder
INDIAN MAJOR CARPS:
Grass carp Herbivorous
Surface, column and
marginal areas
Silver carp Phytoplankton feeder Surface feeder
Common carp
Detritivorous/
Omnivorous
Bottom feeder
EXOTIC CARPS:

6. TECHNICAL PARAMETERS OF COMPOSITE FISH CULTURE:
o Cleaning of existing ponds.
o Deepening of shallow ponds.
o Excavation of new ponds.
o Impoundments of marginal areas of water bodies.
o Construction / repairs of ponds.
o Construction of Inlets / Outlets.
o Any other item like civil structures, pump sets water supply
arrangements / electricity supply arrangements.
Selection of Pond

7. POND MANAGEMENT:
• Pond management plays major and critical role in any fish
farming before & after the stocking of fish seed. Fish farmers
should consider various measures in pre and post stocking of
fish seed mentioned as below.
PRE-STOCKING:
• In case of new ponds, pre-stocking activity starts with liming and
filling of the pond with water.
• liming will balance the pH and increases the soil resistance and kills
the parasite.
• The actual required dose depends on the pond soil pH value

8. Soil pH Lime (kg/ha)
4.5 to 5.0 2,000
5.1 to 6.5 1,000
6.6 to 7.5 500
7.6 to 8.5 500
8.6 to 9.5 Nil
• It is very important to go for soil pH testing before starting a new
pond culture.
• In case of existing ponds, cleaning of the pond and removing the
weeds by chemical, manual or mechanical means should be
carried.
Continue….......

9. FERTILIZATION/ MANURING IN COMPOSITE FISH
CULTURE:
• Fertilization of the pond in fish farming is an important task
for intensifying fish culture by increasing the natural
productivity of the pond.
• The fertilization schedule should be made based on the
quality of the pond soil.
• Organic and Inorganic fertilizers can be used for best
results.
• The fertilizer application should be suitably modified
depending on the growth of the fish in the pond, feed
reserve in the pond and climatic conditions.

10. • Cow dung @ 5000 kg/ha or any other organic manure in equivalent
manurial value can be applied. This can be applied after 3 days of
liming.
ORGANIC MANURE:
IN-ORGANIC MANURE:
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This should be carried after 2 weeks of organic manuring. The following chart
shows the details
Soil fertility status Ammonium Sulphate Urea
1. Nitrogen(mg/100 grams soil)
i) High (51-75)
ii) Medium (26-50)
iii) Low (up to 25)
70
90
140
30
40
60
2. Phosphorus (mg/100 gm soil) Single super phosphate Triple super Phosphate
i) High (7-12)
ii) Medium (4-6)
iii) Low (up to 3)
40
50
70
15
20
30

11. STOCKING IN COMPOSITE FISH CULTURE:
The pond will be ready for stocking after 2 weeks fertilizer application.
Fish fingerlings of 50 to 100 grams of size (approx) should be used for
stocking the pond at the rate of 5000 per 1 hectare.
Fish Type (Species) 3-Fish Combination 4-Fish Combination 6-Fish Combination
Catla 4.0 3.0 1.5
Rohu 3.0 3.0 2.0
Mrigal 3.0 2.0 1.5
Silver Carp – – 1.5
Grass Carp – – 1.5
Common Carp – 2.0 2.0

12. POST STOCKING IN COMPOSITE FISH CULTURE:-
SUPPLEMENTARY FEED
 Fishes in the pond can be fed with a mixture of rice bran & oil cakes in
the ratio 4:1.
 The fish feed can be placed on a feeding tray or in a feeding bag and
should be lowered to the bottom of the pond or feed can be dispersed at
the corners of the pond
 feeding rate is 5 to 6 % of the body weight up to 500 gram size of fish and
then reduce to 3.5% of body weight from 500 to 1000 gram size.

13. • Organic manuring should be done in monthly
installments @ 1000 kg/ha where as inorganic
fertilization should be done at monthly
intervals alternating with organic manuring.
• Rate of fertilization will depends on the pond
productivity & the growth rate of the fish.
MANURING:
Continue…

14. HARVESTING AND YIELD IN COMPOSITE FISH
CULTURE
• Fish can be harvested at the end of first year, when the
fishes attain average weight of 500 grams to 1.50 kg.
• With proper management and care a production of 4 to
6 tons/ha can be achieved in a year.
• Harvesting is done by partial de-watering and repeated
netting.

15. REFERENCE
• FAO , 2014
• HANDBOOK ON FISHERIES , 2012
• Aquaculture Production Systems – Edited by james H. Tidwell.
• www.fao.org/../general metodology for composite fish
culture.htm