Live fish such as Koi (Anabas cobojius), Shing (Heteropneustes fossilis), Magur (Clarias batrachus), Pabda (Ompok pabda), Gulsha (Mystus cavasius), etc. are becoming more and more popular these days. In 2016–17, the production of live fish tripled to 1.27 lakh MT from 2000–01 (45638 MT), the base year. Both native carp fish and live fish are in great demand and are becoming more and more popular.

One way to think of shing monoculture is as a result of the different inputs used in the production process.  The producer of shing culture had to pay for a variety of inputs, including feed seeds, fingerlings, labor costs for humans, fertilizer and medication, and pond management care. While some of these inputs were made at home, others were bought.

The experimental ponds should dry up and be free of undesirable plants and animals before being stocked. The sun-exposed dried ponds are covered with thin nylon mosquito net after several days of liming the bottom soil (at 250 kg/ha of Ca2O). Five days later, ponds are filled with subterranean water, fertilised with 100 kg/ha of cow dung, and left for a week before the water is ready for stocking.

To prevent potential disease-carrying wildlife, such as snails, snakes, crabs, and the like, from entering the gher, fine-meshed nylon net and bamboo splits known locally as “bana” should be fixed on the dikes surrounding it. In addition to its intended use for fish containment, fencing was also intended to let water through during periods of high rainfall.

Stocking density is a critical factor in the development and culture technique of native catfish (H. fossilis). Shing fingerlings that are stocked ought to be of high quality and free from disease. High-quality fingerlings can yield high-quality adult fish.

The majority of shing fish producers utilised fertilisers such as lime, salt, urea-form (MOP), and calcium phosphate (DAP). It is completely forbidden to use manure in the production of shing fish. Fisheries officers advise using different medications if a fishpond is being attacked by any diseases.

The most crucial component for boosting pond fish growth and survival is supplemental nutrition. It’s dosages change based on the culture’s intensity. After stocking, two times a day at 6 a.m. and 19 p.m., at a rate of 12-4% of the anticipated fish biomass, floating pelleted feed containing 35% protein should be applied to meet the growing nutritional demand. For the first month, the fingerlings are fed at a rate of 12% of their body weight; in the following months, this rate will drop to 4%. Every month during the culture period, all of the culture ponds should receive an application of salt and lime at a rate of 74 and 125 kg/ha, respectively.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

The post Proper management practices of Shing fish aquaculture appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

This species is well-known for its excellent nutritional value and therapeutic benefits in addition to its wonderful flavor. In comparison to many other freshwater fish, it continues to have a high iron and moderately high calcium content. This species is regarded as a valuable food fish species and is suggested as part of the diet for those who are ill or recovering from illness. It is ideal for folks who do not want to consume animal fats because it is a lean fish.

Culture Potentialities of Shing fish:

In several Asian nations, catfish species have important commercial and aquacultural value. Due to their low spine, low fat, and high digestibility, these fish are regarded as being very healthy, appetizing, and delectable. Brackish water is not toxic to catfish. Because catfish fish have large, paired sac-like pharyngeal lungs as auxiliary respiratory organs, they can survive in captivity for an incredibly long time, even in minimal amounts of water. Because of its auxiliary respiratory organs, it can survive well in water with little oxygen. 

Challenges & Remedy:

One of the primary challenges for this potential fish species is that it relies heavily on commercial feed, which is not economical for fish farmers. In recent years, shing fish has risen to become one of the most popular commercially cultivable species among fish farmers.

Furthermore, there is a significant risk that farmers, who gradually switch from making their own feed to purchasing it from a factory, could be duped into using commercial feeds without knowing how nutrient-dense they are. This is because there is no strict legislation by the government over control of feed quality and cost.

The availability of fingerling stocking material is the primary barrier to the growth of any species’ aquaculture system. The management of nursery ponds, application of the right nutrients, and amount of supplemental meals are all important factors in the growth and survival of fingerlings. Bangladesh, its culture has not yet prospered in all over Bangladesh due to a lack of suitable nursing and culture technologies, a lack of fry and fingerlings, and other factors. The growth of commercial farming of this species, particularly in the northern region, will be encouraged by the timely supply of good quality and sufficient quantities of fry and fingerling.

In Bangladesh’s open water system of floodplains, canals, beel, and haors, shing fish was in plentiful supply. However, this species is endangered due to overexploitation and various ecological changes in its natural environment. One of the threatened fish in Bangladesh is H. fossilis. It is crucial to create an adequate breeding, nursing, and rearing method for H. fossilis fry and fingerlings given its threatened status, high market value, and strong consumer demand.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

The post Culture potentialities and challenges of Asian stinging Catfish / Shing fish culture in Bangladesh appeared first on Seafood Network BD.