Feed preparation and feed management strategies within semi-intensive fish farming systems in the tropics

Abstract

Semi-intensive aquaculture, particularly in the tropics, accounts for nearly 70% of the finfish production of the world. The bulk of this production is based on a handful of species, the most important being the cyprinid species, such as Chinese and Indian major carps, feeding low in the food chain. In the culture practices the endogenous food supply is known to play a major role, and equally the exogenous food supply is very diverse; the latter often ranging from simple mixes of ingredients to pelleted feeds of various forms. The paper reviews the different feeding strategies currently employed within semi-intensive farming systems for warm-water fish species, including on-farm preparation techniques and management practices. Particular emphasis is placed on the important role played by natural food organisms in the overall nutritional budget of pond-raised fish and the need to reduce food and feeding costs through the use of improved pond fertilization, feed formulation, food preparation, and on-farm feed and water management techniques.