Alteration in stocking composition and species diversification in composite fish farming of Howrah District, West Bengal

Abstract

Species diversification and stocking composition by the composite fish farmers of the Howrah District, West Bengal was investigated. The perception towards the Indian and exotic carps in composite culture revealed that rohu (Labeo rohita) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), respectively, was the most favoured species of culture. Majority of the surveyed fish farmers (58%) produced between 7.5-9 tonne /ha/yr. as they stocked upto eight species incorporating minor carp (Labeobata) and giant fresh water prawns in their composite farming system. It was found that even more number of species could be accommodated as per the fitted relationship between production and number of stocked species were concerned (y= -0.012x2+0.787x+2.510, R² = 0.747).