Chinese integrated fish farms combine polyculture of carps with organic fertilization derived from agriculture. This study examines the response of a polyculture of silver carp, bighead carp, common carp and Crucian carp to varying amounts and frequencies of fermented pig manure application. Net fish yield averaged 10.2 kg ha −1 d −1 with an average manure application rate of 31–48 kg ha −1 d −1 dry weight. Daily manuring increased net fish yields by 38% over applying manure at 5- or 7-day intervals. Silver carp accounted for 62% of this increase. Net fish yield was directly proportional to the amount of manure applied over the range 0–48 kg dry weight manure ha −1 d −1. Net fish yield increased 1.2 kg ha −1 d −1 for each 10.0 kg ha −1 d −1 increase in the manuring rate. Planktophagic fishes accounted for about 75% of this response. The conversion of manure to fish biomass was in the ratio of 8.3 kg dry manure: 1 kg wet fish weight. The contribution of primary productivity to fish yields was estimated in control ponds to which nothing was introduced except inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus equivalent to the amounts introduced as manure in the experimental ponds. The average net fish yield in these control ponds was 4.3 kg ha −1 d −1. Net fish production was directly proportional to the rate of microbial decomposition of cellulose at the sediment surface. This, and water quality measurements, demonstrated the importance of the heterotrophic food chain in these aquaculture systems.