Growth performance of Chinese carps on feeding varying levels of protein under coldwater farming system in Arunachal Pradesh, North-east India

Abstract

Feeding trials were conducted to investigate the growth performance of three species of Chinese carps viz., silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) with two dietary protein levels (30 and 35%) under pond aquaculture system at 1500 m above mean sea level (msl) in mid Himalayan region of Arunachal Pradesh, in north-eastern India. The experiment was carried out for 8 months with triplicate for each treatment and the fish were fed at 3% of body weight, twice a day. The present study revealed superior mean weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and survival rate of fish when fed with ration containing 35% dietary protein as compared to fish fed with ration containing 30% dietary protein. The fish production figures indicate that culture of Chinese carps in mid Himalayan region can be suitably adopted to contribute substantial protein supplement for the tribal population of the hilly region.