Mixed culture of fishes in seasonal ponds through fertilization and feeding

A study on mixed culture of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio Lin.), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Lin.), silver carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix Val.) and Thai sharpunti (Puntius gonionotus Bleeker) in the ratio of 1:2:2:5 was conducted in 12 seasonal mini ponds (30 m² each) for 105 days. There were six treatments each with two replicates and each pond was stocked with a total of 100 fishes. Rice bran and mustard oil cake were used as supplemental feed either in combination or alone in presence or absence of fertilizer. Fertilizers were used in the form of organic, inorganic or both. The best growth performance of mirror carp, tilapia and Thai sharpunti was obtained in treatment III which received both fertilizer (organic+inorganic) and rice bran while the highest growth of silver carp was obtained in treatment VI receiving only inorganic fertilizer. However, the overall best production (2450 Kg/ha) and economic return for the culture period was obtained in treatment VI followed by treatment III. The results are discussed in the light of water quality parameters.