• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2008

An experiment was conducted in twelve 0.02-ha rain-fed earthen ponds for 18 weeks to evaluate the effects of including pangasiid catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) in polycultures of major Indian carps, catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita), and mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus), on yield and economic gain. Treatment 1 ($T_1$) consisted of 5,000 catla+2,500 rohu+2,500 mrigal per ha, treatment 2 ($T_2$) consisted of 5,000 catla+2,500 rohu+2,500 mrigal+2,500 pangasiid catfish per ha, treatment 3 ($T_3$) consisted of 5,000 catla+2,500 rohu+2,500 mrigal+5,000 pangasiid catfish per ha, and treatment 4 ($T_4$) consisted of 5,000 catla+2,500 rohu+2,500 mrigal+7,500 pangasiid catfish per ha. The growth performance of fishes was evaluated by calculating specific growth rate, daily weight gain, and percent weight gain. Inclusion of pangasiid catfish in the carp polyculture resulted in significant increases in the growth and yield of catla and rohu. Catla and rohu grew most in $T_4$, with 7,500/ha of pangasiid catfish. The presence of pangasiid catfish did not influence the growth of mrigal. The growth of pangasiid catfish varied with stocking density, and they grew best at 5,000/ha ($T_3$). The carp and the combined fish yields were significantly higher in the carp polycultures with pangasiid catfish than with carps alone. The total carp and the combined fish yields were highest in $T_4$, in which the density of pangasiid catfish was greatest. However, the total carp and the combined fish yields in $T_3$ and $T_4$ were not significantly different. Profit differed significantly among treatments. Economic gain was highest in $T_3$, with 5,000/ha of pangasiid catfish, and lowest in $T_1$. The inclusion of pangasiid catfish in major carp polycultures results in higher fish yields and greater economic gain.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2008

Excessive growth of phytoplankton is a common and severe problem in intensively farmed pangasiid catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) culture ponds. It can lead to cyanobacterial blooms, reduced fish growth, bad-tasting fish flesh, and lower market demand. To investigate how to manage undesirable phytoplankton growth, we evaluated three stocking strategies in nine rural fishponds (0.020-0.022 ha) owned by various farmers: a pangasiid catfish mono culture (treatment 1, $T_1$), and pangasiid catfish-silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) polycultures at two stocking ratios of 1:1 (treatment 2, $T_2$) and 2:1 (treatment 3, $T_3$). The total density of all ponds was approximately 30,000 fishes/ha. Monoculture ($T_1$) resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.05) nutrient levels (nitrate and phosphate) in ponds than did polyculture ($T_2$ and $T_3$). Nutrient loads increased with culture time, resulting in increased growth of phytoplankton, including Cyanophyceae (9 genera), Chlorophyceae (15 genera), Bacillariophyceae (8 genera), and Euglenophyceae (3 genera). The introduction of silver carp as a co-species helped to regulate phytoplankton growth and to improve the water quality of pangasiid catfish culture ponds.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1186-1193
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• 2008

The growth performance of pangasiid catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and catla (Catla catla) was evaluated in polyculture at varied combinations and stocking ratios in earthen pond for a period of 16 weeks. Combinations of pangasiid catfish, silver carp and catla with the total density of 30,000 fish per hectare were evaluated. A commercial pelleted feed containing 28% crude protein and 6% lipid was fed only to pangasiid catfish at the rate of 8% of body weight during the first six weeks, 6% during the second six weeks and 4% thereafter twice daily. The growth and feed utilization efficiency of pangasiid catfish were found similar in all treatments. The growth of silver carp was markedly decreased upon the increase of its own stocking density. The highest growth of silver carp achieved in polyculture of pangasiid catfish, silver carp and catla at 2:1:1 ratio where density of silver carp was lowest. The growth of catla was found to be affected by the presence of silver carp. The growth rate of catla markedly declined with the increase of silver carp density. The highest growth of catla obtained in polyculture of pangasiid catfish only with catla stocked at 1:1 ratio. The highest yield and economic return achieved in polyculture of pangasiid catfish, silver carp and catla at the ratio of 2:1:1 due to higher growth of silver carp and higher market value of catla. The water quality conditions in all different treatment ponds were within optimum ranges throughout the culture period and the values did not show any significant variation (p>0.05) among the treatments.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2007

The status of recently expanded exotic pangasiid catfish Pangasius hypophthalmus, Pangasiidae farming in rural Bangladesh has been studied for finding research needs, through knowing the culture methods, associated activities and problems, to make the farming sustainable. Data were collected using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools in nine villages in three upazilas (sub-district) of Mymensingh district. The farmers have not got any formal training and have developed their knowledge on farming the fish through practice over years and sharing of knowledge among fellow farmers. Linked industries, e.g. hatcheries, nurseries, feed mills, trading of feed and fish etc. have developed that created employment opportunities. Most of the farmers produce two crops a year. About 90% of the farmers were found to practice mono culture of pangasiid catfish at high stocking density. The feeding rates started from 10-15% of the body weight per day at fingerling stage that reduced to 4-6% with growth. The average yield was found to be 25 tonslha/year. The livelihood of the farmers has been improved through farming the fish. Women and children were rarely engaged in the activities. The identified major problems in farming the fish were water quality deterioration, high feed costs and declining consumer demand and market price.