Production of organic grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum

• Published in: Journal of fisheries Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 233 - 238
• Main Authors: Shaha, Dinesh Chandra, Kundu, Sampa Rani, Hasan, Md. Nahid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BdFISH 30.04.2015
• Subjects: fish production; GIFT tilapia; grass carp; growth performance; napier grass; Organic aquaculture
• ISSN: 2311-729X; 2311-3111
• DOI: 10.17017/j.fish.97

This study was conducted to examine the growth and production of grass carp and tilapia cultured organically using napier grass in Bangabanbhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh from March-June, 2013. Three stocking ratios were tested: grass carp at 0.6 fish/m2 with GIFT tilapia at 0.3 fish/m2 (T1), grass carp at 0.6 fish/m2 with GIFT tilapia at 0.6 fish/m2 (T2), grass carp at 0.6 fish/m2 with GIFT tilapia at 0.9 fish/m2 (T3) and grass carp only at 0.6 fish/m2 as control (T4). Chopped fresh napier grass leaf was the sole nutrient input and provided twice daily. The water quality parameters were within suitable ranges for fish culture. Grass carp attained a daily growth increment ranging from 2.80-3.73 g/day and GIFT tilapia from 1.30-1.86 g/day. The combined yields was significantly higher (P<0.05) in stocking ratio of 1:1 (2.72 t/ha/90 days) compared to other stocking ratios. The result indicates on the basis of benefit-cost-ratio that the farmer’s income will be around double or more in the combined production of organic grass carp and tilapia with stocking ratio of 1:1 than the other stocking ratios. The density of grass carp should be further studied.