Types of Pisciculture: Traditional Pisciculture
Traditional pisciculture is the most basic form of fish farming and is practiced in various types of water bodies, including ponds, lakes, and rivers, where fish production is typically low. The key characteristic of traditional pisciculture is that it depends heavily on the natural availability of food. This method does not require the addition of artificial feed or fertilizers. Fish in these systems rely on natural food sources like plankton, algae, and small aquatic organisms that are present in the water. Since this method is low-input, it tends to yield lower production compared to more intensive systems. However, it is environmentally sustainable and requires minimal capital investment.
Intensive Culture
Intensive culture aims to significantly enhance fish production by providing supplemental feed and organic fertilizers to the fish. This method is used in perennial water bodies such as ponds, lakes, and reservoirs that are dedicated solely to fish farming, meaning the water is not used for human activities like cleaning, bathing, or irrigation. By using artificial feed and fertilizers, intensive culture increases the fish’s growth rate and production efficiency. It requires a high level of management, particularly to monitor water quality and fish health.
Composite Culture / Polyculture
Composite culture, also known as polyculture, involves farming multiple species of fish in the same water body. This system is highly efficient because different species occupy different ecological niches and have varying feeding habits. For example, certain fish are bottom feeders, others are surface feeders, and some are mid-water feeders. The most common species used in India for composite culture are the Indian major carps (such as Catla, Rohu, and Mrigal) and exotic carps (such as Silver Carp, Grass Carp, and Common Carp).
By having multiple species in one pond, full utilization of feed is achieved, as the different species consume food at different levels in the water column. This increases the overall fish production of the pond. Composite culture can be applied for producing fry, fingerlings, and market-ready fish, making it a versatile and profitable method.
Integrated Culture
Integrated culture combines fish farming with other agricultural practices, such as rice cultivation, vegetable farming, duckery, cattle rearing, and poultry farming, in a single farming system. This method utilizes locally available resources and ensures that all aspects of the farming system benefit from one another. For instance, the fish in the ponds can help control pests and weeds in rice fields, while the waste from other farm animals can be used as organic fertilizer for crops or as feed for the fish. The key benefit of integrated culture is that it leads to the optimal use of both land and water resources.
This system not only enhances overall productivity but also provides additional sources of income. For example, farmers may sell fish, vegetables, or poultry, making the practice highly diversified and resilient.
Monospecies Culture
Monospecies culture involves farming a single species of fish in a pond or water body. This system can include species like catfish, Indian Major Carps (IMC), or exotic species. The key benefit of monospecies culture is that it is simple and straightforward, with fewer variables to manage compared to polyculture systems. The fish species in monospecies culture are typically selected based on market demand, growth rate, and ease of management.