Cage culture is an intensive aquaculture method involving the culture of fish in meshed boxes in water bodies like rivers and lakes. Originating in Cambodia about 200 years ago, it utilizes various components and types of cages to optimize fish production, with a range of 3000 to 25,000 kg/ha/year. The method has advantages such as high production and easy management, but also faces limitations like disease outbreaks and environmental impacts.

1. CAGE CULTURE

2. CageCulture

3. INTRODUCTION
• Culture of fishes in meshed boxes
placed in water is called cage culture.
• It is an intensive method of aquaculture.
• Cage culture is practiced in areas where
there is sufficient water movement.
• It is done in river, lakes, estuaries & seas.

4. HISTORY
• Cage culture originated in kampuchia
about 200 years ago.
• Originally cages were used to transport
fishes alive from the capture area to the
market area.

7. COMPONENTS OF A CAGE
• FRAME-It can be made up of wood,
plastic or steel. Generally plastic is
used.
• FLOATS- They are made up of
empty barrels or polythene balls.
• SINKERS- They are made up of stone
concrete or metal.

8. • NET -Three types of nets are present
inner net, outer net & cover net.
• It is made up nylon, weld mesh or wooven
split bamboo.

9. STRUCTURE OF CAGE
• The cage may be square, rectangular,
circular six sided or eight sided.
• Generally, square and rectangular
cages are prefered for culture.
• Normal size of the cage is 20 to 60
metre cube.

10. TYPESOFCAGES
• Based on installation cages are
categorised into following types-
• FIXED CAGES- Installed in running
water
• FLOATING CAGES- Lakes,rivers &
offshore water.
• SUBMERGED & MOVABLE CAGES-
Areas affected by cyclone.

11. FEEDING
• The water movement bring in
nutrients & natural feed.
• In addition artificial feed is also given.
• Example-
• Rice bran
• Fish meal
• Soyabean cake

12. FISH PRODUCTION
• The fish production ranges from
3000 to 25,000 kg/ha/year in large
cages.

13. STOCKING DENSITY
• There is no standard stocking density for
cages. The probable stocking density is
given below-
• Carp fry- 210/metre cube
• Carp fingerlings – 40/metre cube
• Tilapia 150/metre cube
• Murrel – 40/metre cube

14. MANAGEMENT OF CAGES
• LOCATION
• PLANNING
• CAGE PREPRATION
• WATER QUALITY CONTROL
• SEED QUALITY
ASSURANCE
• DISEASE ISSUE &
MANAGEMENT
• HARVESTING

15. Advantages & limitations of cage culture
Advantages Limitations
• Relatively low investment • Risk of theft
• High production, faster growth • Risk of fish lost
• Easy observation & management • Disease outbreak & control
• Treatment of disease • Low tolerance to poor water quality
• Movement and relocation of cages • Difficult to operate in rough
weather
• Use available water resources • Water exchange is essential
• Easy harvest • Rapid fouling
• Optimum use of feed • Feed lost
• High stocking density culture • Environmental impacts (feed lost,
fish waste
• Reduce pressure on land
• Control reproduction
• Control predators and competitors