Potential growth and yield of one- and two-year-old carp, Cyprinus carpio L., in climatic conditions of la Dombes (France)

Abstract

The potential growth and yield of 1- and 2-year-old carp, Cyprinus carpio L., in climatic conditions similar to those of la Dombes were determined by a stochastic-deterministic model, derived from data on growth of Polish carp cultured under intensive methods. The model's forcing functions are the water temperature, effective for carp body mass growth, recorded in ponds of la Dombes, the final fish density, the protein content in feeds and the initial body mass (for 2-year-old fish). It was assumed that the pond ecosystem does not limit fish growth and that the pond trophic chain works correctly. Quantification of relations between basic elements of the carp culture techniques enables prediction of the required final output from ponds, permitting the most efficient culture methods to be chosen.