Culture of Indian Major Carps With Monosex Tilapia for Sustainable Utilization of Aquatic Resources

Abstract

Little is known about the impact of androgen-treated, sex-reversed Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus on the growth potentiality of Indian major carps during integrated aquaculture. In our study, equal numbers of control and treated tilapia were cultured in earthen ponds along with Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cirrhinus mrigala. At the end of the five month culture period, though the general trend of carp growth pattern was maintained, culture with treated tilapia yielded significantly better weight and length for all the fish types, and greater total economic gain as well. In the current scenario, there is an increased pressure on aquaculture to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts for sustainable utilization of available aquatic resources. Polyculture of Indian major carps with hormone-treated, monosex tilapia population, with its natural emphasis on increased utilization of water and nutrients, will almost certainly play an important role in this process.