GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BIGHEAD CARP ARISTICHTHYS NOBILIS (RICHARDSON) IN MONOCULTURE SYSTEM WITH AND WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING

Growth performance of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) in monoculture system with and without supplementary feeding indicated that supplementary feeding played an important role in better growth of bighead carp. The average initial weight of bighead carp at the time of stocking was 11.40 ± 3.25g and final weight of 902.00 ± 4.63g was recorded after 12 months of experiment using organic (cow dung) and inorganic (urea and single super phosphate) fertilizers. The average initial weight at the time of stocking of bighead carp was 10.3 ± 1.32g and average final weight was 1170 ± 4.85g at the end of experiment using fertilizers and supplementary feed with 20% crude protein. Significantly higher (P 0.05) weight gain of 1170.0 ± 3.25g was achieved in treatment with supplementary feeding compared to 902.00 ± 4.63g without supplementary feeding. Temperature range of 26-33oC (during May to July) was found to be suitable for fish growth, as better weight gain and lower feed conversion ratio were recorded during this period. Lower growth was observed during the months of December, January and February, when average temperature was 7-15°C.