The first time fish farmer can begin their venture by rearing commonly grown fish that are easy to grow and sold without any hassle. As they gain the experience they can try their hands in many other ways to expand their operations.
Beginners in fish farming should initially start composite culture of carp fish. Out of 6 variety of carp in composite fish culture that is Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Common carp , Silver carp and Grass carp the species wise fastest growth rate are Silver carp, Grass carp, Common carp, Catla, Mrigal and Rohu respectively. The market price of Indian Major Carp fish that is Rohu, Catla and Mrigal are better than that of exotic carp namely Common carp, Silver carp and Grass carp. Ideally in less risk initial model farmer can stock 40 % Catla, 40% Rohu and 20 % Mrigal having average size of 50 to 100 gm yearlings seed @ 5000 to 10,000 / ha in their pond. These three make ideal combination as it all lives at different levels in the same pond.
By and large fish is cultured in three levels in the pond, top, middle and bottom. It is important to culture fish in all these three levels in the same pond. For example catla fish stays at the top level of the pond, rohu fish secures the middle level while common carp/mrigal settles in the bottom level of the pond. The first two level fish takes the food that floats in the water while the third level fish eat the food that settles at the bottom/base of the pond.
Feeding fish is also an important matter of consideration. To do so a schedule is recommended – once in every 15 days feed should be given precisely organic manure followed by inorganic manure. Apply lime 2 days before application of organic manure. [A] 1st date of month : Cattle dung @ 1000 kg/ha. 15th date of month: SSP@25 kg/ha. Apply Plankton enhancer @ 2.5 kg/ha for better plankton bloom at monthly interval. Apply Mineral mixture @ 10 gm/kg of feed along with 30 ml feed binder/kg of feed to lower FCR. Apply Feed probiotics @ 5 to10 gm/kg of feed along with 30 ml feed binder/kg of feed to lower FCR.
The water quality and natural productivity should be maintained throughout the culture period of 150 days with the application of lime @ 40-50 kg/ha/month, cattle dung @ 1000kg/ha/month, SSp @ 50 kg/ha/month. The recommended supplementary feeding for faster growth based on their biomass(body wt) are 6%,5%,4%, 3% and 2% of their body wt. in 1,2,3,4and 5th month respectively. After the completion of 5 month culture period farmers will get 5 tons production in their one ha water spread area of pond. The cost benefit of this aqua business is as follows:
Per hectare total cost of cultivation would be Rs. 3.5 lakh.
Cost of yearling seed 10%, feed 70%, medicine 10%, labour 10%.
Gross income from the sale of fish @ 125/kg= Rs. 6.25 lacs.
Net return from sale of fish is Rs. 2.75 lakh
It is indeed a profitable business provided the fish farmer is committed to the business full time and have the inclination towards observing new findings every day, learning the intricacies and implementing new ideas of selling his farm produce. If he exhibits these qualities then he certainly would scale up his operations and reap maximum profits without any loss.