Effect of Aquaculture Feeding Practices on Commercial Fish Farming in Rawalpindi District, Pakistan
Atufa Kawan *
Department of Zoology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Zubair Anjum
Department of Zoology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Durre Shahwar
Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Maratab Ali Awan
Fish Hatchery Rawal Town, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Faraz Akrim
Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field survey was carried out in three tehsils namely Rawalpindi, Gujar khan and Kahuta) of Rawalpindi district. A predefined questionnaire was used to gather the information. In the studied farms the average stocking rate of 1200 fingerlings/acre with average weight of 4 grams were stocked. The fingerlings were fed with constant feeding rate of 3% of their body weight. On average the fish ponds have been fertilized with 9-12 kg-1acre-1week-1 cow dung and poultry droppings as organic fertilizer, 5 kg/acre/week urea and 3 kg-1acre-1week-1 DAP (diammonium phosphate) as inorganic fertilizer. Highest production obtained with balanced supplemented followed by standard feed and conventional feed for Labeo rohita (373.56, 344.26 and 286.40 kg/acre/year respectively). Cirrhinus mrigala highest production was with balanced supplemented and standard feed (304.22 and 282.71 kg/acre/year) and lowest with conventional feed (207.22 kg-1acre-1year-1), Ctenopharyngodon idella highest production was with balanced supplemented feed (361.24 kg-1acre-1year-1) and lowest production (212.15 and 205.31 kg/acre/year) with both standard and conventional feed and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix production was non significant for balanced supplementary feed (309.53 kg-1acre-1year-1), standard feed (194.24 kg-1acre-1year-1) and conventional feed (133.90 kg-1acre-1year-1). The present study and statistical analyses revealed that the balanced supplementery feed produced a significant yield in carp culture. Based on this study, the balanced supplementery feed ingredients are highly affected by fishes and its inclusion in formulated feed for beneficial to carp culture.
Keywords: Aquaculture, feeding practices, fish farming, Rawalpindi, Pakistan