Question

explain composite fish culture?which special parameter is to kept in mind during composite fish culture

Answer 1

Fish is the cheapest and most easily digestible animal protein and was obtained from natural sources from time immemorial for consumption by human beings. However, due to over exploitation and pollution, the availability of fish in natural waters have declined considerably forcing scientists to adopt various methods to increase its production. Fish farming in controlled or under artificial conditions has become the easier way of increasing the fish production and its availability for consumption. Farmers can easily take up fish culture in village ponds, tanks or any new water body and can improve their financial position substantially. It also creates gainful employment for skilled and unskilled youths. The technology developed for fish culture in which more than one type of compatible fishes are cultured simultaneous is the most advanced and popular in the country. This technology is known as Composite Fish Culture. This technology enables to get maximum fish production from a pond or a tank through utilization of available fish food organisms in all the natural niches, supplemented by artificial feeding. Any perennial fresh water pond/tank retaining water depth of 2 metres can be used for fish culture purpose. However, the minimum level should not fall below one metre.Even seasonal ponds can also be utilised for short duration fish culture.
1.1. Fish species involved in composite fish culture
Depending on the compatibility and type of feeding habits of the fishes, the following types of fishes of Indian as well as Exotic varieties have been identified and recommended for culture in the composite fish culture technology :
Species Feeding habit Feeding zone
Indian Major Carp
Catla Zoo plankton feeder Surface feeder
Rohu Omnivorous Column feeder
Mrigal Detritivorous Bottom feeder
Exotic carps
Silver carp Phytoplankton feeder Surface feeder
Grass carp Herbivorous Surface, column and marginal areas
Common carp Detritivorous/Omnivorous Bottom feeder

2. Potential :The area under tanks and ponds available for warm fresh water aquaculture is estimated to be 2.85 million ha. In additition 0.78 million ha of swamps, beels, etc. and low lying water logged area not good for agriculture as also any agriculture land can be converted for fish farming. Out of the total inland fish production around 60% is contributed by the culture sector. The average productivity from ponds at present is to the tune of 2160 kg/ha/year. This shows the tremendous scope for fish culture in the country. The area of 4.56 lakh ha brought under scientific fish culture by 1997-98 is only 16% of the potential area of tanks and ponds available for development showing immense possibilities for horizontal expansion of composite fish culture.
3. Technical Parameters :Technical parameters of composite fish culture has been enclosed as annexure - I which includes site selection, items of development, pre and post stocking operations, stocking density, fertilisation, feeding etc.
4. Margin:
The margin money may be considered @ 5,10 & 15% for small, medium and large farmer respectively and 25% for companies and partnership firms.
5. Subsidy
Subsidy is available for various items like Pond Development, construction of New Ponds, first year inputs etc. under a centrally sponsored subsidy scheme implemented by majority of the State Governments through FFDA's for different categories of farmers, details of which may be obtained from concerned Fisheries Departments.
6. Eligible Borrowers
The following category of borrowers are eligible to avail credit.
a) An Individual.
b) A company.
c) A Partnership firm.
d) A co-operative society.
e) A group of fish farmers.
Training in fish farming is being provided by the FFDA's to the eligible borrowers and it is essential that the borrower has prior knowledge of fish farming before availment of bank loan.
7. Financial Outlay :
The details of Capital Cost and Recurring Cost have been indicated in annexure - II. As per annexure the capital

Answer 2

Composite fish culture is simply the fish culture in which two or more  types of fish are cultured collectively.  It is one of the advanced technique for fish culturing.  This is done to get more yield from a pond.

For composite fish  culture only compatible fish can be used because some may not be able to live with other fishes .

Also,  the feeding habits of every fish may be difference from others.

So while choosing the fish keep in mind the variety of the fishes , pond management facilities availability along with food of fishes