Comparative study of body composition of four fish species in relation to pond depth

Abstract

Fish specimen of Labeo rohita , Cirrhinus mrigala , Hypophthalmicthys molitrix and Catla catla were sampled from three ponds of different depths (152 cm, 122 cm and 76 cm) to compare the body composition of these species in relation to pond depth. There was significant (P < 0.001) effect of pond depth on water, ash, organic, fat and protein contents (all % wet and dry body weight). It was observed that pond depth has significant effect (P < 0.01) on condition factor in pond B (122 cm depth) and no effect in pond A and C. Maximum mean values of body composition were observed in Labeo rohita in all the three ponds. Present study demonstrates that fish cultured in ponds of different depths have different values of protein which can help guide the farmers to select best pond depths to produce protein rich fish