Introduction and basic concepts of aquaculture

1. AQUACULTURE
Dr. Deepak Rawal (SET, NET, Ph. D.)
Assistant Professor (Zoology)
MOHANLAL SUKHADIA UNIVERSITY UDAIPUR

2. AQUACULTURE
•Also called aquafarming
•Aqua= water; Culture= To grow
•Definition- Farming of aquatic organisms such as fishes, shellfishes and aquatic
plants in controlled conditions.
•It is practiced from more than 2500 years in China, Egypt and India.
•10% of world total fish harvest is derived from aquaculture.
•Blue revolution- aquatic counterpart to agriculture.
•CIFRI- Central inland fisheries research institute, West Bengal
•CMFRI- Central marine fisheries research institute, Cochin.

3. AQUACULTURE
•Why?
•Population boom and limited food resources.
•Most people live in coastal areas of sea and near river, lakes and reservoirs.
•Cheaper source of protein next to eggs.
•More edible protein (70-80%) than meat.
•Fish meal is with all 10 essential amino acids.
•High Fecundity and growth rate.
•Ornamental and medicinal values.

4. AQUACULTURE
•Classification on basis of habitat-
• Mariculture- India has 5600 km long coastline. 80% aquaculture in West coast
and 20% aquaculture in East coast. Major cultured fishes are Mackerels,
Sardines, Sharks, Pomphrets , Hilsa, Bombay duck etc.
• Freshwater/inland- Covers 40% of total aquaculture in India. In rivers, ponds,
lakes, irrigation canals etc. Major cultured fishes are Carps and Catfishes.
• Estuarine/Brackish water- In delta channels, backwater and wetlands etc. Major
cultured fishes are Milkfish, Mullets, Pearl spot etc.

5. AQUACULTURE
•Indian major carps (herbivorous fishes)-
• Catla catla
• Labeo rohita
• Cirrhinus mrigala
• Exotic carps
• 1. Common carp- Cyprinus carpio
• 2. Grass carp- Ctenopharyngodon idella
• 3. Silver carp- Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
• 4. Tilapia mossambica
• Catfishes (Carnivorous fishes)- Mystus, Wallago etc.
•Indian major carps and exotic carps contributes over 90% of freshwater
aquaculture.

6. AQUACULTURE
•Shellfishes- Prawns, Molluscs, Crustaceans etc.
•Giant freshwater prawn- Macrobrachium rosenbergii
•Indian riverine prawn- Macrobrachium malcomsonii
•Major molluscs-
• Oysters-Crassostrea spp.
• Mussels- Perna spp.
• Clams- Meretrin spp., Solen spp., Arca spp., Cardium spp.
• Cuttle fish- Sepia spp.
• Squid- Loligo spp.
• Octopus
• Pearl oysters- Turbo, Trochus, Sacred chank, Window pane oyster (Placenta
placenta).
•Aquatic plants- Sargassum, Gelidiella, Gracilaria etc.

7. AQUACULTURE
Fish Fry Fingerlings (2 inch) Adults
• Monoculture- Only single variety of fish is Cultured for particular purpose.
• Polyculture- Many variety of fish cultured together like culture of Indian major
carps, culture of exotic carps, and mixed culture.
• Composite culture- along with fishes, shell fishes also cultured.
• Integrated culture- along with fishes, other husbandry services also done like fish
cum duck, fish cum pig, fish cum paddy, fish cum poultry etc.

8. AQUACULTURE
Extensive Intensive
Less managed Highly managed
Larger area Smaller area
Natural feeding Artificial feeding
Low density of fishes Higher density of fishes
Low water exchange Higher water exchange
Lower productivity Higher productivity
Less predation control Higher predation control
Labor cost is low Labor cost

9. Thanks