GROWfH PERFORMANCE OF CATLA CATLA UNDER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING IN FERTILIZED PONDS

The response of Catla Catla towards different levels of supplementary feeding (rice polish) was studied. The results indicated that the maximum weight gain in fish was observed in that pond in which supplementary feed was done at the rate of 4% of wet body weight of fish per day, followed by 6%, 2% and 0%, respectively. Increase in body weight was positively and significantly correlated with temperature. Jhingran (1982) reported that the production of major carps viz., Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cinhina mrigala could be increased by making available adequate quantities of natural food and balanced artificial diet to them. Javed et al. (1993) observed the response of artificial feed (30% crude protein) in major carps. The result indicated the use of artificial feed in two ways: (i) direct utilization of feed, and (ii) indirect response of left over feed in terms of planktonic productivity. The above line indicates that the effect of artificial feed is of considerable importance in intensive fish culture practices, but no information is available that what level of supplementary feed is better for the growth of major carps. So a project is planned to study the Growth performance of Catla catla under different levels of supplementary feeding in fertilized ponds.