Growth and osmoregulatory response of Cyprinus carpio haematopterus (Amur carp) reared in inland saline water

Abstract

A 90 days experiment was designed to assess the growth and osmoregulatory response of Cyprinus carpio haematopterus (Amur carp) in inland saline water of sub-humid and semi-arid/ arid zones of Haryana, India. Two hundred forty fingerlings (avg. wt. 3.48±0.272 g) were equally distributed in 4 treatment groups (salinities; control C, 0 ppt; T1, 5 ppt; T2, 10 ppt and T3, 15 ppt) with 3 replicates in 500 L tanks followed by complete randomized design (CRD). There were no significant differences observed in physico-chemical parameters of water among different treatments and found in optimum range throughout the experimental period. The parameters, viz. total alkalinity, hardness (total, calcium and magnesium) and concentration of ions were varying with the salinity and displayed increasing trend with increase in salinity. At the end of experiment, 100% survival was obtained upto 5 ppt whereas decreasing trend was found with increasing salinity (T2 and T3). There was highest% weight gain obtained in control group followed by T1, T2 and T3 groups. The highest specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) along with lowest food conversion ratio (FCR) was reported in control group followed by T1 and T2 groups, while lowest SGR, PER and highest FCR were reported in T3 group. Serum and water osmolality showed significant increasing trend with increasing salinity, while osmoregulatory capacity was decreasing with increase in salinity. Based on the findings, it is suggested that Amur carp can be cultured with 100% survival up to 5 ppt with slightly lower production rate.