Abstract

Enhancing profitability through productivity is a major global concern and significant efforts are being made to enhance farmers’ income through aquaculture. The main objective of these efforts is to promote cost-effective fish farming through a sustainable approach; thus, environmental integrity is maintained. These efforts are being implemented continuously at many levels. Such as the availability of good-quality seed, the use of alternative species in fish farming, the development of species-specific and cost-effective fish feed, the development of disease-free and clean water quality culture methods, the use of additives and nutraceuticals that can increase productivity and growth in fish farming, the development of integrated methods in fish farming, etc. The integrated and coordinated methods of the culture system continue to attract fish farmers across the Asian countries. The main reason behind this is its cost-effectiveness. Similarly, connecting different food trophic levels in the culture systems proves to be a good solution. We do this through the process of connecting the food trophic level and converting the waste of one fish species into food for the other. The mixed farming of catfish and carp fish is based on this basic principle. In this model, only catfish consume artificial feed and carp primarily thrive on natural food grown in the pond. Since catfish use more feed and carps eat and grow with the natural food produced from it. Due to which the food chain is fully and properly utilized. Thus, we can achieve productivity of pond up to 8-20 tons acre^-1 without continuous aeration.

Aklakur, M., Roy, U., Shah, M.I., Amjad, M., Kumar, K., Kumar, N., Kumar, V., 2024. Mixed farming of catfish and carps: A model for higher productivity and income. Research Biotica, 2024, online first.