Growth performance of Indian major carps in selected micro-water sheds of Dungarpur district of southern Rajasthan

Abstract

A total 10 micro-water sheds of Dungarpur districts of Rajasthan were chosen to evaluate the biotic conditions and growth performance of Indian major carps. Water quality parameters viz., temperature (26.2-32.7 oC), pH (7.3-10.05), dissolved oxygen (6.71-10.21mg/l), free CO2 (0-0.45mg/l), total dissolved solids (76.55-473mg/l), electrical conductivity (160.4-965mS/cm), total hardness (61-200mg/l), Gross primary productivity (0.119-0.350gC/m3/h), Net primary productivity (0.028-0.306gC/m3/h) and Community respiration (0.017-0.286gC/m3/h) were recorded in present study. All the water quality parameters were found congenial for fish growth except very high pH in a few water bodies. The phytoplankton counts in different micro-water sheds were ranged between 125 to 310 Nos/l. whereas; the count of total zooplankton in different water bodies were very less. As such the zooplankton number varied between 3 to 12 Nos/l. The net weight gain of catla, rohu and mrigal was (762.38-1103.33gm), (628.31-932.16gm) and 395.15-838.29gm respectively. Whereas, the specific growth rate of catla (2.009-2.162%), rohu (1.990-2.153%) and mrigal (1.839-2.149%) were recorded, which indicated the moderate productivity of the selected micro-water sheds. Further study is recommended to have better supplementary feeding and scientifically culture base fisheries for good results for fish production in micro-water sheds.