CARP CULTURE

Selection of pond

The main criteria to be kept in mind while selecting the pond is that the soil should be
water retentive, adequate supply of water is assured and that the pond is not in a flood prone
area. Derelict, semi derelict or swampy ponds can be renovated for fish culture by dewatering,
desilting, repair of the embankments and provision of inlet and outlet.

Pond Management

Carp culture in ponds is basically a three-tier culture system where the first step begins
with the rearing of spawn up to fry (2–3 cm) stage for 2–3 weeks in nursery ponds followed by
rearing of 2–3 weeks old fry for about 3 months up to fingerling stage (8–12 cm) in rearing
ponds before they are finally released in stocking ponds for growing up to table size fish. To
ensure high rate of survival and growth during all the three stages of rearing, a package of
management practices should be strictly followed, and slackness at any stage of the management
procedure may affect farm productivity and profitability adversely.

Techniques of management involve (i) manipulation of pond ecology to ensure optimum

production of natural fish food while maintaining the water quality parameters within tolerance
limits of the stocked fish species; and (ii) the husbandry of fish through stock manipulation,
supplementary feeding and health care. Broadly, the various steps involved in the management
of ponds at all the three stages of culture may be classified as
(i) pre-stocking
(ii) stocking and
(iii) post-stocking management operations

Prestocking

Pre-stocking management aims at proper preparation of ponds to remove the causes of

poor survival, unsatisfactory growth, etc., and also to ensure ready availability of natural food in
sufficient quantity and quality for the spawn/ fry/fingerlings to be stocked. Pre-stocking part of
the management involves the following sequential measures.

Eradication and control of aquatic weeds and algae

Floating weeds such as water hyacinth, Pistia, etc., very often cover the entire water
surface cutting off light drastically, thus resulting in critical reduction in primary productivity of
the pond. Weeds are classified according to their nature of occurrence, into four major groups
namely, floating, emergent, submerged and marginal. Control measures for all the above-
mentioned classes of weeds and blooms fall into four major categories, viz. preventive, manual
and mechanical, chemical and biological.

Preventive control
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
 The preventive measures have to be taken well in advance. The measures include
trimming of pond margins, dewatering and desilting of old ponds, uprooting or burning of dried
marginal weeds during the summer and providing barriers to prevent the entry of floating weeds.

Manual and Mechanical control

The free-floating groups of weeds are either hand picked or dragged by wire or strong
coir rope nets. In bigger ponds they should be removed part by part from the marginal areas and
finally the centrally located weed mass is dragged towards the banks and lifted out. The manual
removal of submerged weeds from a heavily infested water body is relatively much more
difficult. They are either pulled by hand or hand-drawn bottom rakes or uprooted with bamboo
poles having a cross piece tied strongly at the terminal end.

Chemical control

Certain commercially available chemicals (herbicides) can provide an efficient means of

eradication of undesirable aquatic plants. Most herbicides are selective in nature and hence
application of appropriate herbicide should be taken up. Floating weeds such as water hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) can be controlled using the herbicide 2–4-D at a dosage of 12-36 kg/m2.
Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) could also be controlled by foliar spray of aqueous ammonia
(1%) at the rate of 50–75 kg/ha along with 0.2 % of any commercially available detergent as a
wetting agent. Emergent weeds such as water lily, lotus, and floating heart can be cleared by
spraying the herbicide 2–4-D at the rate of 8–10 kg/ha with detergent (0.25%). The chemical is
diluted at the rate of 300 l/ha and sprayed through a foot pump sprayer.

Submerged weeds like Vallisneria, Hydrilla, Najas, Potamogeton and Ceratophyllum can
be controlled by paraquat at the rate of 3–4 ppm within two weeks. It can also be controlled by
application of anhydrous ammonia at the rate of 15–20 ppm.

Marginal weeds like Ipomea, Jussiaea, etc., could be controlled by spraying the herbicide
2–4-D at the rate of 8 kg/ha.

Copper sulphate is perhaps the oldest and a very widely used algicide to control excess
algal bloom. The recommended doses are 0.2 to 1.0 ppm, but it is not very effective in ponds
having high pH (pH above 8.6), Microcystis bloom is cleared with 0.3 to 0.5 ppm of Diuron.
Simazine also clears the bloom in 16–20 days and the rate of application is 0.3–0.5 ppm. Both
the chemicals do not have harmful effect on fish.

Chemical control of aquatic weeds

Brand Additiv
Weeds Herbicide Dose
name es
Water hyacinth, 2–4–D Taficide
0.1–
Pistia & other floating (sodium Hexamar 2–12 kg/ha
0.2% detergents
weed salt/amine salt) Fernoxone
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
 2–4–D Taficid
Lotus, water lily, 0.25%
(sodium e Hexamar 8–10 kg/ha detergent
Trapa, etc.
salt/amine salt) Fernoxone
2–4–D Taficide
0.25%
Marginal weeds (sodium Hexamar 8 kg/ha
detergent
salt/amine salt) Fernoxone
Gramox
Salvinia Paraquat 1.0 kg/ha -
one
Pistia, Spirodela, Gramox 0.1–0.2 0.1%
Paraquat one
Lemna, Azolla, etc. kg/ha detergent
Submerged weeds
(Ottelia, Vallisneria, Gramox
Hydrilla, Najas, Paraquat 4 ppm -
one
Potamogeton,
Ceretophyllum etc.)
Aqueous Dry 50–70 0.2%
Pistia
ammonia ammonia gas kg/ha detergent
Anhydrou Dry
Submerged weeds 15–20 ppm -
s ammonia ammonia gas
Rooted Copper
- 35 kg/ha -
submerged weeds sulphate
0.2–1.0
Algal Copper ppm (not very
– -
blooms/mats sulphate affective at high
pH)
0.3–0.5
Simazine - -
ppm
0.3–0.5
Diuron Karmex -
ppm

Biological control of aquatic weeds

Another important controlling method is by introduction of weed-eating fishes. Grass

carp is the most effective biological control agent against most of the submerged and floating
weeds except the water ferns. About 300–400 fish, each of about 0.5 kg weight, are enough to
clear 1 ha of Hydrilla infested water body in about a month.

Common weed eating fish and the weeds of their preference

Fishes Names Feed upon

Common carp Cyprinus carpio Tender shoots
Osphronemus Tender shoots of submerged
Gaurami
goramy weeds and filamentous algae
Pearl spot Etroplus Filamentous algae
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
 suratensis
Submerged weeds e.g
Ctenopharyngodo Hydrilla, Najas , Ceratophyllum,
Grass carp
n idella Potamogeton, Ottelia and duck
weeds
Hypophthalmichth
Silver carp Algal bloom
ys molitrix

Eradication of unwanted fish

Predatory fish prey upon the spawn, fry and fingerlings of carps and the weed fish
compete with carp for food, space and oxygen. Therefore predatory and weed fish should be
completely eradicated from nursery, rearing and stocking ponds before these ponds are stocked.
The commonly encountered predatory and weed fish in undrainable ponds are listed below.

Common predatory and weed fish of un drainable ponds

Predatory fish Weed fish

Channa spp. Puntius spp.
Clarias
Oxygaster spp.
batrachus
Heteropneustes
Gudusia chapra
fossilis
Pangasius Amblypharyngodon
pangasius mola
Mystus spp. Laubuca spp.
Ompok spp. Esomus danricus
Wallago attu Osteobrama cotio
Glossogobius
giuris
Mastocembelus
spp.
Amphipnous
cuchia

Absolute removal of these unwanted fish by thorough and repeated netting is not possible
and hence dewatering and poisoning the pond are the only alternative methods.

Fish toxicants

Although a number of chemicals and plant derivatives are available in the market which
are poisonous for fish, only a limited number of such toxicants are safe and suitable for fish
culturepurposes. Based upon the following criteria a suitable fish poison is selected.

Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016

  Poisoned fish should be safe for human consumption
 Least adverse effect on the pond biota
 Toxicity period should be of short duration
 Should not have residual effect
 Easy commercial availability
 Simplicity of application
 Cost considerations.

Mohua oil cake, bleaching powder and ammonia are considered suitable. Mohua oil cake
kills all the fish species within a few hours when applied at the rate of 250 ppm. The toxicity of
doses up to 250 ppm lasts for about 96 hours and subsequently it serves as organic manure in the
pond. It should be applied at least two weeks before stocking the ponds.

Bleaching powder or Calcium hypochlorite (CaOCl2) is another practical and safe fish
toxicant. It kills all the predatory and weed fish of the pond when applied at the rate of 25–30
ppm. The method of application is also relatively simple. The powder is mixed with water and
uniformly spread over the entire water surface. Distressed and dead fish are removed by netting.
Chlorine killed fish are safe for human consumption.
Anhydrous ammonia when applied at the rate of 20–25 ppm kills the predatory and weed fishes.
Besides, it also controls the aquatic weeds and later acts as nitrogenous fertilizer. Toxicity of
ammonia lasts for 4–6 weeks.

Recommended doses of fish poison

Dose
Poison
(kg/ha/m)
350 –
Bleaching powder
500
Mohua oil cake 2500
Anhydrous ammonia 20 – 30
Powdered seed of Croton tiqlium 30 – 50
Root powder of Milletia
40 – 50
pachycarpa
Seed powder of Milletia piecidia 40 – 50
Seed powder of Barringtonia
150
acutangula
Seed meal of tamarind 1750 –
(Tamarindus indica) 2000
Tea seed cake (Camellia sinensis) 750

Liming

The tanks, which are acidic in nature, are less productive than alkaline ponds. Lime is
used to bring the pH to the desired level. In addition lime also has the following effects -
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
  Increases the pH.
 Acts as buffer and avoids fluctuations of pH.
 It increases the resistance of soil to parasites.
 Its toxic effect kills the parasites; and
 It hastens organic decomposition.

The normal doses of the lime desired ranges from 200 to 250 Kg/ha. However, the actual
dose has to be calculated based on pH of the soil and water as follows

Soil Lime
pH (kg/ha)
4.5- 2,000
5.0
5.1- 1,000
6.5
6.6- 500
7.5
7.6- 200
8.5
8.6- Nil
9.5

Fertilization

Fertilisation of the pond is an important means of intensifying fish culture by increasing

the natural productivity of the pond. The fertilisation schedule has to be prepared after studying
the quality of the pond soil. A combination of both Organic and Inorganic fertilisers may be used
for best results. The fertiliser programme has to be suitably modified depending on the growth
of the fish, available food reserve in the pond, physico chemical conditions of the pond and
climatic conditions.

Pond productivity levels

Me Lo
High
dium w
Rate of application of fertilizer (kg/hg/year)
10
5000– 800
Cattle dung 000–
8000 0–10000
25000
112– 156 22
Urea (43–45%)
155 –225 6–260
Ammonium sulphate 225– - -
(20.5%) 330
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
 Calcium ammonium 350 50
-
nitrate (20.5%) –500 1–650
Single super phosphate 156– 220 31
(16–20%) 219 –315 6–405
Triple super phosphate 76– 11
54–75
(40–45%) 110 1–145

Eco-hatchery-circular spawning pool

It consists of circular cement pools (8 m diameter) with 50 cubic metres of water holding
capacity. The bottom of the pool slopes to the centre, where there is an outlet pipe (10 cm
diameter) leading to the incubation pond (egg collection chamber). The wall of the spawning
pool is provided with diagonally fitted inlet pipes at an angle of 45o for circulation of water
creating artificial riverine conditions. After circular pool is filled with water, about 80 kg of
females and 80 kg of males are released into the pool. When the breeders start coming up to the
surface, the valves are opened so that a circular current is created. The speed of water current is
maintained at about 30 m/min. The yield of 10 million eggs per breeding operation is usually
achieved.

Eco-hatchery Incubation pool

As spawning goes on in the spawning pool, the fertilised eggs are led into the incubation
pool (3 m diameter - double walled circular pool, with inner wall of regulated mesh permitting
outflow of water) where water at a regulated speed enters through the duck mouth valves fitted
on the floor of the outer chamber. The speed of the water is regulated @2.5 litre/sec in the initial
stage and then reduced to 2.0 l/sec when movement of embryo inside the eggs starts. After
hatching, the speed is again increased to 3.0-3.5 l/sec. and the hatchlings are allowed to remain
there for about 3 days till the yolk sac is absorbed.

Rearing of seed-hatchling to fry/fingerling stage

Presently two techniques are practiced.

 Rearing in earthen ponds at the fish farm.

 Two phased seed rearing - Phase one inside the hatchery building and
phase two rearing in earthen pond at fish farm.

Rearing in earthen ponds at fish farm up to fry stage

From the hatchling receiving ponds (nursery ponds), the weeds are removed. Unwanted
fishes are removed using mahua oil cake containing 4-6% saponin at the rate of 2000-2500 kg/ha
meters. Lime is applied @ 250-300 kg/ha. for neutralizing acidity and helping mineralisation of
organic matter. Manuring of ponds with cow dung @5000kg/ha is done about 15 days before the
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
anticipated date of stocking by broadcasting all over the pond (dose of cow dung is doubled
when Mahua oil cake is not used). Aquatic insects are controlled. Suitability of water is tested.
Thereafter ponds are stocked with about 3-4 days old spawn usually in the morning hours. The
moderate rate of stocking may be 25-30 lakhs/ha.

Supplementary Feed

A mixture of finely powdered groundnut/mustard oil cake and rice bran/polish, in equal
proportion by weight is supplied to the fry. Cobalt chloride or Manganese sulphate (trace
elements) @ 0.01 mg/day/spawn may be added to the feed. Addition of yeast increases survival
of fry. Feed may be broadcast all over the pond commencing from the day of stocking. Feeding
may be stopped one day earlier to the harvesting. The generally recommended feeding schedule
is given below.

Feeding strategy for fry of Indian major carps

Approximate quantity
Period Rate of feeding per day per one lakh of spawn/day
4 times the initial total weight
1st to 5th day 0.56 kg
of spawn stocked
8 times the initial weight of
6th to 12th day spawn stocked 1.12 kg
13th & 14th day No feeding

Feeding should not to be suspended in adverse ecological conditions.

Chinese Fish hatchery

 The location of a Chinese Hatchery should ideally be on a sloping high

land for economical construction. If sloping land is available the floor level of the spawn
collection tank should be adjusted to the ground level for draining out water by gravity.
 The level of eggs transfer outlet located at the centre of spawning tank
should be about 10 cm. above the level of central overflow pipe at the top of the hatching
tank. This will enable complete transfer of eggs from the spawning tank to use outside the
tanks.
 Overflowing water from the hatching tank should not be passed on to the
spawn collection tanks but should be put to use outside the tanks.
 Separate fresh-water supply lines should be installed from the overheads
water tank to each tank i.e. spawning tank, hatching tanks and spawn collection tanks in
order to ensure independent working of each.
 Water spraying arrangements should be provided for aeration and
oxygenation in the three tanks.
 Eggs transfer pipe should discharge the water along with eggs into the
hatching tank in between the two walls of the hatching tank to avoid damage of eggs.
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
  The walls of the spawning tanks should be provided with water inlet pipes
installed in a diagonal position to create a circular water flow during the spawning period.
 Where water flow is insufficient for circulation, multiple-chambered
hatching pools with paddle wheels for circulation may be constructed.

Harvesting of fry

Harvesting in nursery ponds

In nursery ponds the fry usually grow to a size of 25–35 mm in about a fortnight with
more than 70–80% survival, when they become ready for harvesting. Harvesting is done by
seining the pond water using a close meshed (1.45 mm) drag net. Several netting operations
should be done to ensure near total harvesting of the stock. No harvesting should be done on a
bright sunny day or in cloudy weather as there might be heavy mortality of tender fry due to high
temperature related increased metabolism and the depletion in available dissolved oxygen. The
most suitable time for harvesting is the early hours of the morning. Feeding should be stopped a
day before harvesting to minimize the conditioning time required for transporting fry over long
distances.

Harvesting in rearing ponds

Harvesting of fingerlings should be done after

three months of rearing when they attain the desired
size of 100–150 mm. However, in some cases
fingerlings are to be kept for a prolonged period for
marketing during the period of scarcity of seed to fetch
better price. Harvesting should be done by seining the
pond using a drag net of about 8.0 mm mesh.
However, complete harvesting of all the species,
especially the bottom feeders is usually difficult and
hence several netting should be done to ensure near
total harvesting. A modified form of net, which is
described below, is very effective in catching all the
species of carps even in rearing ponds. Feeding should
be stopped a day prior to harvesting.

Transporting of fry/fingerlings

For transporting live fish and fish seed over

exceedingly long distances and from one country to
another, closed system of transport is most suitable. In
this system of transport live fish/seed materials are
packed in closed containers with oxygen under
pressure with airtight seals. Polythelene or vinyl
chloride or other plastic bags of various capacities
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
ranging from 15–35 litres are in use. Number of seed
materials to be packed per bag vary according to their
size and expected duration of transport.

Packing density of fry/fingerlings of Indian

major carps for 12 hour journey

No. No
eed
of seed . of seed
size
(Range) (Average)
(cm)
100 55
0 – 10000 00
500 22
– 5000 00
200 60
– 1000 0
200 33
– 500 0
75 – 22
300 5
50 –
80
200
25 –
70
100
25 –
40
50

(Source: Food and Agriculture Organisation)

Stocking of nursery ponds

Carp spawn requires natural feed immediately after stocking and hence it is essential to
have a minimum plankton value of 30–40 ml/m3 in case of stocking at a moderate rate (1.5–2.5
million/ha). Combined rearing of two or more species of spawn should not be done in nursery
ponds. The pond should be stocked after three days of hatching when their sizes range from
0.60–0.75 cm and counts on an average about 500 nos./ml.

Stocking of rearing ponds

Rearing of fry to fingerling stage is done in rearing ponds where fry are stocked at the
rate of 0.25–0.30 million/ha with a survival level of 60–80% under proper pond conditions.
Either monoculture or polyculture methods can be adopted for this rearing. Prior to stocking the
rearing ponds the pond waters must have a plankton level of about 30–50 ml/m3.
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
 Stocking of grow-
out/stocking ponds

After proper preparation, the

pond should be stocked with 100–150
mm long fingerlings of desired carp
species. In case the fingerlings are not
available, the pond can also be
stocked with advanced fry or early
fingerlings in absolutely predator-free
ponds. The stocking rate depends
primarily upon the volume of water
and on the oxygen balance of the
pond. Depending on availability of
seed and market condition, stocking
can be of 3, 4 or 6 species
combination in the following ratios.

Species combination (ratio)

S - - -
pecies specie specie specie
s s s
C
atla .0 .0 .5
R
ohu .0 .0 .0
M
rigal .0 .0 .5
S
ilver
.5
Carp
G
rass
.5
Carp
C
ommon
.0 .0
Carp

Method of stocking

Stocking of spawn, fry and fingerlings should be done very carefully to avoid any post-
stocking mortality due to shock or infections. To minimize post-stocking mortality the
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016
fry/fingerlings should be slowly and gradually acclimatized to the temperature and quality of the
water in the stocking pond. To do so, open the mouth of the seed transport bag/container and
gradually add the pond water in phases and after 15–20 minutes slowly dip and tilt the
bag/container in the pond so that the spawn/fry/fingerlings are free to swim out. Stocking should
preferably be done in the cool evening hours.

Post-stocking management

Post-stocking management involves harnessing the pond productivity in the form of

natural fish food, maintenance of pond environment congenial to the cultivated fish and fish
husbandry, mainly feeding and health care.

Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy. Associate professor (Contract), VSUPGCenter,Kavali. M.Sc.Zoology, notes-2016