Effects of co-cultured common carp on nutrients and food web dynamics in rohu aquaculture ponds

Rahman, Mohammad Mustafizur (2015) Effects of co-cultured common carp on nutrients and food web dynamics in rohu aquaculture ponds. Aquaculture Environment Interactions, 6 (3). pp. 223-232. ISSN 1869-7534 (Online), 1869-215X (print)

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Abstract

Using the common carp Cyprinus carpio L. in polyculture ponds to increase both phyto- and zooplankton availability has become a popular practice for the cultivation of planktivorous fish, such as rohu Labeo rohita Hamilton. However, the dynamics of how common carp influences the environment and ecology in polyculture ponds are unclear. In the present study, the effects of various stocking densities (0, 0.5 and 1 m−2) of common carp on the dynamics of nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates were investigated every other week over a 137 d period in rohu (density: 1.5 m−2) ponds under fed and unfed conditions. All environmental parameters and all groups of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates significantly changed over time, although trends in these changes were inconsistent at different common carp densities. The correlation between phosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P) and total phytoplankton biomass indicated that the phytoplankton biomass was limited by low PO4-P concentrations in ponds without common carp. Common carp-driven resuspension increased N and P fluxes from the sediment to the water column and subsequently increased primary and secondary production. A stocking density of 0.5 common carp m−2 had strong effects on nutrients and both phyto- and zooplankton availability, with an increasing trend over time. These effects were partially lost in ponds with 1 common carp m−2, which can be considered as overstocking. This study suggests that an optimal density of common carp can be used as a management tool to manipulate the aquaculture environment for better growth and production of fish.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	6647/42539
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Polyculture, Fish yield, Stocking density, Resuspension, Nutrient flux, Water quality, Plankton, Benthos, Aquaculture environment
Subjects:	S Agriculture > SH Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Science > Department of Marine Science Kulliyyah of Science > Institute of Oceanography and Maritime Studies
Depositing User:	Dr. Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman
Date Deposited:	07 Apr 2015 10:29
Last Modified:	01 Jul 2015 13:57
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/42539

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