Evaluation of different stocking densities of two small indigenous fish, pabda (Ompok pabda) and gulsha (Mystus cavasius ) with Indian major carps in polyculture system

An experiment on the polyculture of carps with high valued small indigenous fish species (SIS) pabda (Ompok pabda) and gulsha (Mystus cavasius) was carried out in six months culture period to evaluate the production performance of carp with small indigenous fish pabda (Ompok pabda) and gulsha (Mystus cavasius) in the on-farm condition. Three stocking densities of pabda and gulsha were tested, keeping the carp species combination and stocking density similar. Each stocking density of pabda and gulsha was considered as treatment and replicated thrice. Fingerlings of pabda and gulsha were stocked at the rate of 5,000 (1:1), 7,500 (1:1) and 10,000 (1:1)/ha in treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In all the treatments, carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, and Cirrhinus mrigala) were stocked at the rate of 5,000/ha. The production obtained were 2,986&plusmn;78, 2,580&plusmn;88 and 2,393&plusmn;71kg/ha from treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively, at harvesting. The production levels showed significant difference (P<0.05) among treatments. The contribution of pabda and gulsha to total production was 5.22% in treatment 1, while in treatments 2 and 3 were 7.86 and 9.40%, respectively. It was concluded that pabda and gulsha could be cultured in low input carp polyculture management.