Formulation of cost-effective feeds from locally available ingredients for carp polyculture system for increased production

Three 20% crude protein, low-cost supplemental feeds denoted by Feed A, Feed B and Feed C were formulated from locally available ingredients. These included rice bran, wheat bran, black gram bran, mustard oil cake, sesame oil cake, fish meal and 0.5% vitamin and mineral premixes in different combinations using molasses as a binder for carp polyculture production in ponds. The main source of protein was fish meal and mustard oil cake in Feed A, fish meal and sesame oil cake in Feed B and mustard oil cake in Feed C. The feeds were tested in ponds (0.1 ha each) for 330 days with two replications and compared with a conventional-type Feed D which served as the control and contained 75% rice bran and 25% mustard oil cake. Fingerlings were stocked at a density of 4000 per hectare with a ratio of 40% Catla catla, 20% Labeo rohita, 20% Cirrhinus mrigala, 5% Cyprinus carpio and 15% Puntius gonionotus. The feeds were fed at a rate of 2–5% body weight per day. Feeds A, B and C showed significantly ( P < 0.05) higher fish growth, net production, apparent feed conversion ratio and protein utilization as compared to the control, Feed D. Feed A showed significantly higher growth performance followed by Feeds B and C. Also, Feed A was more cost effective than Feeds B or C.