Strategies to control invasion of Sailfin Armoured Catfish, Pterygoplichthys spp. in wastewater-fed aquaculture bheries of East Kolkata Wetland, India with suggestion of a modified barrier based on the biological and behavioural characteristics

Sailfin armoured catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp.), an alien invasive species of family Loricariidae has invaded extensively in wastewater-fed large aquaculture ponds (locally called ‘bheries’) of East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), West Bengal, India. As there is no viable controlling method at present, commonly these fishes are removed by different physical methods and discarded. In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness and suitability of different in-practice Pterygoplichthys spp. control methods, based on on-field sampling, biological and behavioural study of the fish and also response analysis of the stakeholder’s of EKW. The results indicate that in-practice eradication efforts, like ‘repeated seine netting’ with or without removal of Eichhornia sheath of the pond periphery and ‘dewatering of pond’ aiming to reduce or eradicate Pterygoplichthys spp., are not fully effective, because of the capture avoidance ability and burrowing habit of these fishes. We found deep and branching burrows of Pterygoplichthys spp. in aquaculture ponds of EKW, with maximum burrow depth of 58 cm, and water in that burrows even after 12 days of dewatering. Hence, it is suggested stakeholders to keep dewatered pond exposed to sunlight for at least four weeks or above to ensure complete water-out from the burrows in which Pterygoplichthys spp. take shelter or lay their eggs. ‘Multilayer bamboo fencing’ or ‘combination of bamboo fencing and net barrier’ use by the stakeholders of EKW to prevent intrusion or re-intrusion of Pterygoplichthys spp. were found only partially effective, because of the capability of these fishes to damage net-blocking through their hard dorsal and pectoral spines or entry through the holes dug across the barrier in beneath or banks of the sewage intake channel. Based on learning on the biological and behavioural characteristics of Pterygoplichthys spp., we then suggested a modified version of barrier to the stakeholder’s of EKW, incorporating a sewage feeder pipeline, a concrete collection chamber with size separation arrangement made of hard materials like wire mesh and a dam of specific dimensions across the channel, for effective prevention of intrusion of these fishes in their aquaculture bheries

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON THE INCIDENCE OF FISH DISEASES AND USE OF THERAPEUTANTS IN AQUACULTURE FARMS OF MOYNA, THE ‘FISHERIES HUB’ OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

The present study depicts the disease incidences in the aqua farms of Moyna, West Bengal, India, during 2018- 2020 and aqua-drugs used by farmers to combat diseases. A total of 132 fish disease incidences were reported, among which parasitic diseases were the most common (53.03%) followed by bacterial diseases (27.27%), diseases due to poor nutrition and environmental fluctuations (10.61%), and fungal diseases (9.09%), respectively. Out of the 53.03% parasitic disease incidences reported, Argulus (22.86%), Dactylogyrus (17.14%), Gyrodactylus (10.00%), Myxospores (10.00%), Lernaea (8.57%), Ichthyophthirius (5.71%) and Trichodina (4.29%) were the major disease-causing parasites. Among bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. and Aeromonas spp. were the most dominant genera encountered in diseased fish. Labeo catla was the most susceptible fish species followed by Labeo rohita, and Cirrhinus mrigala. Seasonal influence in disease occurrence was noticed. Monsoon and winter were favorable seasons for disease outbreaks. The influence of water quality parameters like hardness, pH, ammonia, total dissolved solids of water, and total organic carbon of sediment had a significant correlation with parasite abundance. Farmers of Moyna were observed to use a wide range of chemicals and aqua-drugs to control diseases and related problems. The majority of the fish farms of Moyna were found using feed additives and supplements (32.00%) followed by sanitizers and disinfectants (24.00%), probiotics (17.00%), anti-parasitic drugs (11.00%), antibiotics (8.00%), and other chemicals (20.00%). Lime (calcium carbonate) and zeolite along with sodium chloride, potassium permanganate, formalin, and calcium hypochlorite were extensively used as disinfectants in Moyna. Farmers being unaware of the adverse consequences of using chemicals and aqua-medicines are fully dependent on private aquaculture consultants for time-to-time advice, which may have augmented their indiscriminate use. Initiative for the implementation of better management practices by creating awareness among farmers and adopting strict aquaculture policy guidelines might improve the scenario

Use of sewage in split doses to enhance water productivity for fish culture

The problem of sewage disposal has received great attention worldwide. The raw sewage contains a variety of high inorganic and organic matters that affect natural water environment. To mitigate such problem, sewage may be recycled through aquaculture practice. Sewage recycling in aquaculture enhances water productivity through nutrients input. Proper loading of sewage ensures viable aquaculture; otherwise, fish mortality occurs due to poor water quality. To optimize sewage application, two different experiments were conducted, each with four treatments. In both experiments, three fish species namely rohu (Labeo rohita Hamilton, 1822), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala Hamilton, 1822), and bata (Labeo bata Hamilton, 1822) were tested in triplicate in FRP (Fibre-Reinforced Plastic) tanks. Different sewage concentrations (0, 25%, 50% and 75%) used in first experiment were prepared by mixing freshwater, showing Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 2.0 ± 0.4 mg/L, 10.8 ± 1.4 mg/L, 19.6 ± 1.5 mg/L and 41.6 ± 2.58 mg/L, respectively. After 30 days rearing, results showed ≥75% fish survival in sewage concentrations up to 50% with BOD level 19.6 ± 1.5 mg/L. Less than 50% fish survived in 75% sewage concentration, with BOD level as 41.6 ± 2.58 mg/L. The second experiment was conducted for 90 days considering 50% sewage concentration as basal dose with BOD level as 19.6 mg/L as an acceptable limit for fish survival. Split doses of sewage were applied in T1, T2 and T3 treatments fortnightly, weekly and semi-weekly intervals, while single dose was used in C (control) treatment. Application of split doses resulted better hydro-biological changes, including nutrients recovery, in T1, T2 and T3 than that of single dose in control. Fish growth plotted with net primary productivity (NPP), phytoplankton and zooplankton densities exhibited positive correlations in T2 (12 doses) and T3 (24 doses), considered as optimal doses to ensure better water productivity for desirable fish production than sewage with single dose or limited doses (6 doses)