Criteria for the selection of species for culture - Lockdown study material

Criteria for the selection of species for culture

Aquaculture', can be defined as the 'farming and husbandry of economically
important fish, under controlled conditions'.

Fish farming is the raising of fish for personal income or profit. Based
on the environment in which culture is done, fish farming may be categorized as
freshwater fish farming, brackish water fish farming, saltwater or marine fish
farming (mariculture).

Fish farming is a productive venture. Fishes are highly nutritious sources
of easily digestible proteins (rich in lysine and methionine. They are
essential amino acids); minerals like calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium,
potassium, magnesium and sulphur; vitamins such as A, D and health promoting
fats. Fish are the source of polyunsaturated fatty acids which are helpful in
cholesterol regulation and promoting cardiac health. Fish farming can help in
integrated rural development by generating employment opportunities.

Characters of cultivable fish

The following
criteria should be considered before selecting a fish for farming purpose.

1.
Rate of growth :Fish which grow to a
larger size in shorter period are suitable for culture.Eg. Carps.

2.
Adaptation to climate: The cultured species of
fish should be able to adapt to the local climatic conditions of the farm.

3.
Tolerance: The fish should have the capacity to tolerate
wide fluctuations in the physico chemical conditions such as oxygen, salinity,
temperature etc of the water.

4.
Acceptance of artificial feed : When more number
of fish is to be accommodated in a limited space, there is the need for
supplementary feeding on compounded diets. The fish should show ready
preference for these feeds.

5.
Resistance:It is desirable that the
cultured fish is hardy enough to resist the common diseases and attack of
parasites.

6.
Amiability and compatibility: The fishes
proposed to be cultured together ('poly culture') should be able to live
together without interfering or attacking the other.

7.
Conversion efficiency: The species of fish which
give more edible flesh per unit of food consumed, is preferred.

8.
Consumer's preference: Food preference of people
vary with the geographic regions. Hence, the species cultured should be easily
marketable locally or to the targeted consumers.