A semi intensive approach on growth and profit margin of Indian major carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus cirrhosus) with cost effective standard feed formulation

In the present experiment, the viability of formulated feed with locally available feed ingredients was evaluated over traditionally prepared hand-made feed and commercial pellet feed for pond culture of carp species. Three commonly cultured carp species namely Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus cirrhosus with the average initial weight of 25.21±2.22 g, 24.97±1.25 g and 25.20±2.77 g respectively were stocked at a stocking density of 1976 (C. catla), 4940 (L. rohita) and 2964 (C. cirrhosus) individuals ha-1 and allowed to grow for five months. Water quality parameters were ideal for carp culture in the pond. The fishes grew to an average final weight of 216.67±4.04, 319.25±5.41 and 310.33±4.98 g for C. catla; 207.78±8.59, 314.19±12.50 and 301.31±9.69 for L. rohita; and 232.97±11.30, 311.65±3.13 and 308.90±5.61 for C. cirrhosus fed with handmade ball (HMB), semiauto feed mill pellet (SAFM-Pellet) and commercial-pellet feed, respectively. The ponds also yielded an overall average biomass of 1627.08±66.77, 2555.59±100.06 and 2409.19±53.39 kg ha-1 for the fishes fed with HMB, SAFM-Pellet and commercial-pellet feed. Among the feed types, SAFM-pellet feed was found to give better feed conversion ratio (FCR) (2.81±0.36) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) (0.64) followed by commercial-pellet feed (FCR 3.44±0.09, BCR 0.30). The present experiment concludes that SAFMpellet would increase the yield of carp species from ponds and would be economically sustainable.