For many smallholder farmers, fish farming is not just an alternative source of income but a reliable path to better nutrition and improved livelihoods. Among various freshwater species, common carp stands out as a hardy, fast-growing fish that can thrive in still or slow-moving waters. With minimal inputs and smart management, farmers can rear this fish in ponds, tanks, or even in seasonal water bodies.
Common carp grows fast, survives in difficult conditions, and yields good market prices. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners as well as experienced fish farmers.
Broodstock Selection
Healthy and productive broodstock is the foundation of any successful fish farming business. Always choose fish that show fast growth and healthy body shape. Avoid using broodfish from the same family to prevent inbreeding problems, which can lead to weak and deformed fry.
Broodfish should ideally be 2 to 3 years old and weigh around 2 to 3 kilograms. Bigger fish produce more eggs, with one female laying about 1 to 1.5 lakh eggs per kg of body weight. Segregate male and female broodfish 3–4 months before the breeding season. Keep them in separate ponds and feed them a protein-rich diet to ensure proper development of eggs and milt.
Natural Breeding and Artificial Propagation
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Natural Breeding in Hapa or Ponds
When hatchery facilities are not available, natural spawning can be done in small cement tanks or hapas. Introduce selected broodfish in the ratio of two males to one female. No hormone is required. Spawning usually takes place within 24 to 36 hours. Use fibre or grass to collect adhesive eggs. These eggs can then be transferred to a hatching hapa. After 3 days, the fry can be moved to the nursery tank. -
Hormonal Induced Breeding (Stripping Method)
If natural breeding does not yield enough fry or conditions are not favorable, hormone injection (Hypophysation) can be used. Inject females with 0.4–0.5 ml/kg and males with 0.2–0.3 ml/kg of ovatide. After 6–8 hours, strip eggs from females and milt from males. Mix gently using a feather or soft brush. De-stick the eggs using a salt-urea solution, then wash with tannic acid and freshwater.
Hatching is done in double hapas, and after hatching, fry are transferred for further rearing.
Nursery and Fry Rearing
Newly hatched fry should be stocked in shallow nursery tanks at a density of 1 million fry per 20 square meters. Water flow should be maintained at 1 liter per minute per square meter. Feed with live food, brine shrimp, or formulated starter feed. Within 15–20 days, the fry grow to 1–2 cm in size.
For better survival, use seasonal ponds (0.02–0.05 ha) for rearing fry to fingerlings. Stocking density varies from 10 to 40 lakh per hectare. Use supplementary feed if stocking is dense. With good pond preparation, a 60–70 percent survival rate is achievable.
Pond Preparation
Pond preparation is vital for the health of fish. For seasonal ponds, drain, dry, plough, lime, and fertilize the pond before stocking. Remove aquatic weeds manually or using safe chemicals. Remove predatory fish through drying or by using organic piscicides like mahua oil cake or tea seed cake.
Liming and Fertilization:
Apply 200–500 kg of lime per hectare based on soil pH. For promoting plankton growth, use a mix of cow dung, poultry manure, and single super phosphate. A typical mix would be 750 kg oilcake, 200 kg cow dung, and 50 kg phosphate per hectare.
Fingerling Production and Stocking
Fingerlings are reared in larger ponds (0.05–0.2 ha) for 2 to 3 months until they reach 100–150 mm in size. The depth of the pond should be 1.5–2 m. Stocking density is kept around 1 lakh per hectare. Feed twice a day with a mix of rice bran and oil cakes in a 1:1 ratio. Add fishmeal or vitamin-mineral mix for enhanced growth.
Grow-Out and Harvest
Use advanced fingerlings for grow-out ponds. Stock them at the beginning of the season for faster growth. Supplementary feeding is essential as natural food is not enough. Feed twice daily at 3–5 percent of body weight. Common carp reaches a size of 2.5 to 3.5 kg within 10 to 14 months. The ideal market size is between 1.2 to 1.8 kg.
Common carp farming offers a simple, sustainable, and profitable model for farmers across India. With proper pond management, timely feeding, and the right broodstock, farmers can produce high-quality fish with good market value. Whether for home consumption or sale, common carp ensures that the effort put in turns into a dependable return.
