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Skill development training aims to impart new knowledge and skill as well as build up favourable attitude among trainees.Evaluating the farmers’ knowledge and attitude towards skill development trainings will help to assess effectivenessof training as well as adoption probability of the acquired knowledge/skill. This research paper evaluated the impactof skill development training on fish farmers’ knowledge and attitude, in different districts of Bihar. Primary data werecollected from randomly selected trainees (250 Nos.), using feedback proforma and mobile phonic survey methodology.The first three levels of training evaluation model given by Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick were followed for measuring theimmediate impact of skill development training. Data were subjected to descriptive and Z-test statistics. The findingsrevealed that skill development training had significant (p=0.000) positive impact on the knowledge level of trainees.They exhibited favourable attitude towards skill development trainings and would be potential adopters of the acquiredknowledge and skills. Keywords: Attitude, Fish farmers, Impact evaluation, Kirkpatrick model, Knowledge, Skill development training

A 60-days feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of different feeding strategies with normal and low protein diet on digestive and metabolic activity in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Labeo rohita is the most important Indian Major Carp (IMC), which is cultivated commercially across the country. One hundred thirty five fingerlings were distributed in triplicate groups of each treatment. Three experimental isocaloric (401.32 to 410.28 kcal/100 g) diets of 30%, 25% and 20% crude protein designated as diet A, diet B and diet C respectively were prepared, using locally available feed ingredients. Three different feeding schedules of normal protein diet continuously (diet A-30%) throughout the experiment, alternate feeding of 1-day diet A followed by 1-day diet B (1A/1B) and alternate feeding of 1-day diet A followed by 1-day diet C (1A/1C) through- out the experiment were tested by feeding the fishes at 5% body weight daily. Results showed that digestive enzymes activity such as protease and amylase was higher in the group fed 1A/1B. Glucose 6 phosphatase (G6Pase) were also analysed. The metabolic enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) are reported to be significantly difference (p

Better survival and growth of larval stages of fish is the most important objective of any fish hatchery. The present study aimed to assess the effect of feeding a freshwater cladoceran Moina micrura as live food enriched with HUFA, vitamin C or both on survival and growth of climbing perch Anabas testudineus larvae. Three days old larvae were randomly distributed in twelve glass tanks at the rate of 10 larvae per litre of water and fed enriched with HUFA, vitamin C or both and un-enriched M. micrura thrice a day at the rate of 4-5 numbers ml-1 of rearing water for 30 days. Fatty acid analysis of the enrichment emulsions, M. micrura and the larvae was done. The highest survival was observed in larval group fed with HUFA enriched Moina (24 ± 1.53%) and the lowest in the control group (9.3 ± 0.88%). This indicates that enrichment of M. micrura with HUFA alone could enhance the survival rate significantly. Larval group fed with HUFA-Vitamin C enriched M. micrura exhibited significantly (P

Biodiesel production from microalgae has gained significant interest recently due to the growing energy demand and non-renewable nature of petroleum. However, high cost of production and environmental health related issues like excess use of inorganic fertilizers, eutrophication are the major constraints in commercial-scale biodiesel production. Besides this, solid wastes (garden-based) management is also a global concern. In the present study, to overcome these limitations vermicompost extract was tested as nutrient source to enhance growth performance and lipid production from a freshwater microalga (Graesiella emersonii MN877773). Garden wastes were first converted into vermicompost manure and its extract (aerobic and anaerobically digested) was prepared. The efficacy of the extract was then tested in combination with BG11 medium. The mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae in anaerobically digested vermicompost extract at 50:50 combination with BG11 medium enhanced the cell biomass (0.64 g d. wt. L−1) and lipid productivity (3.18 mg L−1 day−1) of microalgae by two times. Moreover, the combination also improved the saturated (methyl palmitate) and monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) content in the test algae. The quality of biodiesel also complies with all the properties of biodiesel standard provided by India, the USA, and Europe except the cold filter plugging property. The combination was also found to improve the cell biomass (0.041 g L−1) as compared to BG11 medium in mass-scale cultivation. Hence, the study proved that G. emersonii grown in media supplemented with garden waste-based vermicompost extract had significant potential for mass-scale biodiesel and bioproduct production.

A feeding trial was conducted for 90 days to assess the metabolic and digestive enzyme activity in response to alternate or mixed feeding of different protein levels in the diet of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings. One hundred and forty four fingerlings with an average weight of 5.0– 5.5 g were distributed into four experimental groups each with triplicate. Four iso-caloric diets with varying level of crude protein viz., 35%, 30%, 25% and 20% were made and designated as diet 35P, 30P, 25P and 20P respectively. Four treatments were maintained based on four different feeding schedules such as continuous feeding of diet 35P (35P/35P), alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 30P (35P/30P), alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 25P (35P/ 25P) and alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 20P (35P/20P). As a result, specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain percentage were relatively higher in treatment (35P/25P) followed by (35P/35P) and (35P/30P). The metabolic enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were expressed better in (35P/35P) group followed by (35P/25P) and (35P/30P) groups. The digestive enzymes, protease and lipase activities were higher in (35P/35P) and (35P/ 25P) groups. The present study revealed that the better nutrient utilization and growth of 35P/25P group is because of their balanced digestive and metabolic enzyme activities through alternate level of higher and lower protein diet.

Very limited information is available on the relationship between dietary selenium (Se) and plant protein (PP) sources in carnivorous marine aquaculture species. Therefore, this study employed a 2 × 3 experimental layout to investigate the effects of lupin meal (LM) protein inclusion levels (0, 25 and 75%) and organic selenium (OS) levels (0 or 2 g kg− 1) on the growth, physiology and histopathology of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer). The experimental diets (LM0, LM0 + OS, LM25, LM25 + OS, LM75 and LM75 + OS) were formulated on an isonitrogenous (48.8% crude protein) and isocalorific (20.6 MJ kg− 1 gross energy) basis. In the 60-day feeding experiment, final weight (FW), specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain (WG) were improved by the supplementation of Se in LM-based diets. Fish fed diets containing Se had higher FW, SGR and WG compared with those fed diets lacking Se supplementation (P Statement of relevance While plant-based feed sources such as lupin meal have the potential to reduce the reliance on unsustainable wild fishmeal in aquaculture, such products may reduce the feed availability of selenium, an essential element for aquatic animals. We believe that the findings of this study are relevant to the general field of commercial aquaculture.

A 90 days' trial on integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) incorporating floating weed Wolffia globosa as inorganic extractive and a bivalve Lamellidens marginalis as organic extractive was conducted to assess the growth, survival, yield, water quality and welfare of Labeo rohita (Rohu) in an outdoor tank culture system. Twelve cement tanks (20 m3) were randomly allocated into four treatments (in triplicate) where L. rohita was used as fed species. The treatments were assigned as control (C) only rohu, T1: Rohu and partitioned Wolffia canopy, T2: Rohu, L. marginalis and T3: Rohu, Wolffia and L. marginalis. The stocking densities for rohu and L marginalis were 30,000 fingerlings ha−1 and 750 kg ha−1 while Wolffia was transplanted to cover 30% of the tank surface area, and fish to mussel biomass ratio maintained was 2:1. The fish were fed with a sinking pelleted feed (30% Crude Protein) at the rate of 4% body weight. It is observed that total biomass, survival, net fish yield (NFY) was significantly highest in T3 as compared to T1, control and T2. The total protein and lipid content of rohu (whole-body) differ significantly between the treatments. Among the welfare parameters, the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) activity was significantly higher in T1 and T3 while superoxide dismutase (SOD) was highest in T1. The catalase (CAT) activity lowest in T3 among all the treatment groups. The water quality parameters like NH4-N, NO3-N, PO4-P were significantly lower in T3 among all treatment groups. Higher water transparency was observed with no algal bloom in T3 and T1. The results suggest that co-culture of L. rohita with W. globosa and L. marginalis can improve water quality, welfare parameters, enhancing fish survival and productivity.

Temperature can influence sex differentiation in gonochoristic fish with a genetic sex-determination system (GSD). The precise effect of high temperature on sex remains unknown in a eurythermal carp (Cyprinus carpio). The present study aimed to identify the critical thermosensitive period and the effect of temperature on sex differentiation in common carp, C. carpio. Our results demonstrated the lower and upper limits of the lethal maximum temperature (LTmax) of C. carpio juveniles (42 dph) were 37.2 and 39.7 °C, respectively in the present study condition. The confidence limit of the median lethal time (LT50) of the juveniles was 38.87 °C. To determine the thermosensitivity of sex differentiation, the larvae were exposed to a high temperature (36 °C) for 7-day durations, starting from hatching until 69 dph. The period of critical thermosensitivity for sex differentiation towards the male phenotype was 7 to 13 dph. The sex proportions and thermosensitivity of sex differentiation illustrated high inter-familial variability of sex ratio skewed towards male phenotype ranged from 69 to 100% in the 10 full-sib families exposed to 36 °C. Exposure of juveniles to the high temperatures (34 °C and 36 °C) significantly altered the sex ratios and produced 63 to 82 % male phenotype even during the transition of sex differentiation. This study demonstrates that sex differentiation in common carp is seriously influenced by the environmental process. Also, it explores a temperature-induced method of skewing sex ratio towards the male phenotype irrespective of morphological gonad differentiation in common carp.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the impacts of dietary narrow-leafed lupin Lupinus angustifolius kernel meal (LKM) on growth performance, feed utilization, digestibility, haematology, as well as liver and intestinal health of juvenile cobia Rachycentron canadum. Five isonitrogenous (crude protein around 460.0 g/kg) diets were formulated to replace 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 g/kg of fishmeal protein with the protein from LKM designated as LKM0, LKM20, LKM40, LKM60 and LKM80, respectively. Triplicate groups of cobia were fed the respective diets for a period of 56 days. At the end of the feeding trial, growth indices expressed as final body weight (FBW) and specific growth rate (SGR) decreased following the linear and quadratic models with increasing levels of LKM. Feed intake, protein retention and energy retention followed the same trend, whereas, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) followed a reverse trend with FBW and SGR. A significant decrease in the apparent digestibility coefficient of protein, lipid and dry matter was observed in cobia when more than 400 g/kg protein from fishmeal was substituted by LKM protein. Haematological indices such as red blood cell and haemoglobin declined significantly in fish fed with LKM60 and LKM80, while a significant increase was observed in aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase. Histopathological alterations including higher lipid deposition, necrosis and vacuolization were found in the liver of fish fed higher (>600 g/kg) fishmeal protein replacement levels. Similarly, intestinal structure was affected by higher replacement level of fishmeal protein (>600 g/kg) as fold height and goblet cells decreased significantly with increasing levels of LKM. The results indicate that 200 g/kg fishmeal protein can be replaced by protein from LKM and substitution beyond that level adversely affected the growth performance of cobia.

In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary Bacillus circulans PB7 (BCPB7) and fructoligosaccharide (FOS), used singly or in combination for evaluation of growth, immune and physiological status of Labeo rohita (rohu) juveniles reared under low pH and normal pH for 60 days. Experimental fishes were distributed in two sets such as one set continuously exposed to low pH (5.5) and other reared under normal pH (7.0), and fed with four iso-nitrogenous diets viz. basal (control), Bacillus circulans PB7 (BCPB7, 106 cfug−1), 1% fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and their combination. The effect of such pre, pro and synbiotics dietary treatments on growth performance (weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio), immune response (hematological indices, serum biochemistry, lysozyme, NBT activity), antioxidative status in the form of antioxidant enzyme (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), Na+ K+ ATPase and stress bio-markers (cortisol, glucose and HSP-70) were examined. The group treated with low pH and fed with control diet (without supplementation) was found to be inhibited (p

In aquaculture system, 40-60% cost comes from the production of fish regarding feed. Hence, there is a need in future to further reduce the cost of the feed and its utilization in aquaculture with low input for growth and high survival of fish. Concerning the former the most obvious approach to reducing the cost of feed is to decrease the amount of the most expensive ingredient in the feed i.e. fishmeal, through substitution with a suitable low-cost alternative ingredients, while ensuring that such substitution will not compromise the growth and quality of the cultured stock. Previously, few attempts have been made on the mixed feeding schedule in carps and other species in aquaculture. There is a need to undertake the effect of mixed feeding schedule with suitable feeding strategies i.e. alternate feeding strategies with the different combination of protein variation in the diet. This study will throw light in the low cost feed formulation, feeding strategies, reduction in pollution load in pond and minimize the cost of fish production in aquaculture of Indian major carps and other cultured species in the country and it will improve the economic status and benefits of farmers in the generation of income and employment opportunities.

The stock structure of critically endangered Clupisoma garua were examined based on morphometric characters. A total of 133 specimens were collected from four rivers located in the southern coastal zone of Bangladesh. Data were subjected to principal component analysis, discriminant function analysis and univariate analysis of variance. In discriminant function analysis, plotting first and second discriminant functions explained 88.4% and 9.9% of the between-group variation for morphometric analyses indicating the existence of three morphologically differentiated groups of C. garua. The first principal component (PC1) explained 82.41% of the total variation, while PC2 explained 4.62%. The step-wise discriminant function analysis (DFA) retained six variables that significantly discriminated the populations. Using these variables, 82.0% of the original groups were classified into their correct samples and 79.70% of the cross validated groups omitting one procedure were classified into their correct samples. The result obtained from the study noticed significant differences among the populations.

Summary A feeding trial was conducted for 60 days to delineate the effect of alternate day feeding strategy of sub-optimal protein level on haematological parameters, serum parameters and phagocyte respiratory burst activity (NBT) in Labeo rohita juveniles. One hundred and thirty-five fingerlings (1.87 ± 0.01–2.26 ± 0.05 g) were distributed in triplicate groups of each treatment, and fish were fed at 5% body weight daily. Three experimental isocaloric (401.32–410.28 kcal/100 g) diets of 30%, 25%, and 20% crude protein designated as diet A, diet B, and diet C respectively, were prepared, using locally available feed ingredients. Three different feeding schedules of normal protein diet continuously (diet A-30%), alternate feeding of 1-day diet A followed by 1-day diet B (1A/1B) and alternate feeding of 1-day diet A followed by 1-day diet C (1A/1C) were tested. The total erythrocyte count and haemoglobin content was significantly (p

A 60-day experiment was conducted to delineate the effect of three dietary levels of gelatinized carbohydrate (GC) on growth, nutrient-utilization and body composition of Labeo rohita fingerlings (avg. wt 6.5 ± 0.3 g) reared at two water temperatures (ambient-AT (26 ± 0.8 °C) and 32 °C). Two hundred and sixteen fingerlings were randomly distributed into six treatments in triplicates. Three semi-purified isonitrogenous diets were prepared with graded levels of GC viz. D(1) : 40%, D(2) : 50% and D(3) : 58%. Growth rate, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 50% GC and 32 °C reared groups than their AT counterparts. Hepato Somatic Index was higher in AT reared groups compared to 32 °C reared counterparts. Apparent digestibility co-efficient of carbohydrate was significantly (p < 0.05) higher at 32 °C reared groups but decreased with increasing carbohydrate (GC) levels. Fish reared at 32 °C showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher amylase, protease and hexokinase activities while glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatse were significantly (p < 0.05) higher at ambient temperatures. The results obtained in present study indicated that L. rohita could utilize higher level (50%) of dietary carbohydrate at 32 °C.

Partial replacement of live feed (LF) with formulated feed (FF) was performed in Betta splendens to evaluate their growth, survival and reproductive performance. Three hundred B. splendens fry of uniform size (mean weight 0.19 g±0.01) were equally distributed in five treatment groups with each of three replicates in glass aquaria of 35 L capacity. Fish were offered diets of different ratio of LF and FF like T1 (control) – 100% LF; T2 – 75% LF, 25% FF; T3 – 50% LF, 50% FF; T4 – 25% LF, 75% FF and T5 – 100% FF. Highest (P

The northeast region of India, comprised of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, is blessed with rich biodiversity and fisheries resources. With more than 90% of population being fish eaters, there is heavy demand for fish but a wide gap exists between supply and demand. The region produces over 0.214 million tons of fish annually, with almost 50% coming from aquaculture. Aquaculture development in the region is taking place at a rapid rate. However, efforts are necessary to increase the present level of production through both horizontal and vertical expansion. The region has rivers, coldwater streams, floodplain wet lands, reservoirs, lakes, ponds, paddy fields, and mini-barrages to support large-scale aquaculture activities, which can not only produce fish to meet regional requirements, but also export the surplus. This paper describes and discusses the current status of aquaculture, production level, constraints, and future directions towards achieving “fish for all” in the region.

A 60 day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of varying levels of protein/energy (P/E) ratio and highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) supplemented diet on growth and flesh quality parameters of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings. One hundred and eighty fingerlings of uniform weight (4.32±0.08g) were randomly distributed into five treatment groups with three replications. The five different treatment groups were: Control - T0H0 (basal feed+117 mg/kcal, P/E ratio); T1H0 (basal feed +100 mg/kcal, P/E ratio); T2H0 (basal feed +133 mg/kcal, P/E ratio); T3H1 (basal feed +100 mg/kcal, P/E ratio+1% HUFA) and T4H1 (basal feed + 133 mg/kcal, P/E ratio+1% HUFA). Significantly higher (P

Commonly mollusks are filter feeding in habits so while feeding from the mud the unwanted chemicals and metals are accumulate in the organs like gills, foot and mantle. These edible bivalves can better be used for biomonitoring in case of the food safety at regularly used by the local fisherman community. So it is very important necessity to study about edible mollusks and with the aim of the present study is carried. Assessment of heavy metal such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn accumulation of seven different body parts viz, Foot, Mantle, Gonad, Adductor muscle, Byssal thread, Gills and shell from two different edible bivalve species of Perna viridis and Modiolus metcalfei were carried briefly. Among all the metals, Zn was higher and Cd was lower concentration were observed from two different bivalve and their values varied with respect to different body parts. The accumulation of these five heavy metals ranged as Cd (0.022-0.091 μg/g), Cr (0.147-0.447 μg/g) Cu (0.126-0.356 μg/g), Pb (0.145-1.57 μg/g) and Zn (0.964–8.607 μg/g) for P.viridis and M. metcalfei ranged as Cd (0.013-0.095 μg/g), Cr (0.092-0.495 μg/g) Cu (0.063-0.367 μg/g), Pb (0.528-1.263 μg/g) and Zn (2.172-11.113 μg/g). Cluster analysis (Bray-Curtis Similarity) was used for making the similarity percentage between different body parts of edible bivalves and comparison also done with sediment metal concentration. In general, all heavy metals are less than the permissible level according to WHO/EPA except Cr and Pb from both bivalves.

A feeding trial was conducted for 60 days to delineate the effect of alternate day feeding strategy of sub-optimal protein level on haematological parameters, serum parameters and phagocyte respiratory burst activity (NBT) in Labeo rohita juveniles. One hundred and thirty-five fingerlings (1.87 ± 0.01-2.26 ± 0.05 g) were distributed in triplicate groups of each treatment, and fish were fed at 5% body weight daily. Three experimental isocaloric (401.32-410.28 kcal/100 g) diets of 30%, 25%, and 20% crude protein designated as diet A, diet B, and diet C respectively, were prepared, using locally available feed ingredients. Three different feeding schedules of normal protein diet continuously (diet A-30%), alternate feeding of 1-day diet A followed by 1-day diet B (1A/1B) and alternate feeding of 1-day diet A followed by 1-day diet C (1A/1C) were tested. The total erythrocyte count and haemoglobin content was significantly (p 0.05) enhanced in the group T1 fed (1A/1B), and the lowest count was recorded in the group T2 fed (1A/1C). Total leucocyte counts, total serum protein, and serum globulin were higher in the group T1 fed (1A/1B) and lower in the group T2 fed (1A/1C) as compare to control. The respiratory burst activity (NBT) of blood phagocytes and serum A-to-G ratio was recorded significantly difference in among the treatment groups. Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that alternate feeding of 1-day diet A followed by 1-day diet B (1A/1B) is equally effective and promote the immunity in Labeo rohita juveniles.

A 60-day experiment was conducted to delineate the effect of three dietary levels of gelatinized carbohydrate (GC) on growth, nutrient-utilization and body composition of Labeo rohita fingerlings (avg. wt 6.5 ± 0.3 g) reared at two water temperatures (ambient-AT (26 ± 0.8 °C) and 32 °C). Two hundred and sixteen fingerlings were randomly distributed into six treatments in triplicates. Three semi-purified isonitrogenous diets were prepared with graded levels of GC viz. D(1) : 40%, D(2) : 50% and D(3) : 58%. Growth rate, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were significantly (p0.05) higher in 50% GC and 32 °C reared groups than their AT counterparts. Hepato Somatic Index was higher in AT reared groups compared to 32 °C reared counterparts. Apparent digestibility co-efficient of carbohydrate was significantly (p0.05) higher at 32 °C reared groups but decreased with increasing carbohydrate (GC) levels. Fish reared at 32 °C showed significantly (p0.05) higher amylase, protease and hexokinase activities while glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatse were significantly (p0.05) higher at ambient temperatures. The results obtained in present study indicated that L. rohita could utilize higher level (50%) of dietary carbohydrate at 32 °C.

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of partial or complete replacement of live feed (LF) (Tubifex) with formulated feed (FF) on the reproductive performance of Betta splendens. Three hundred B. splendens fry (average weight 0.19 ± 0.01 g) were equally distributed into five different groups, each with three replicates. They were fed for 105 days with following different diets: control (C)—100% LF; T1—75% LF, 25% FF; T2—50% LF, 50% FF; T3—25% LF, 75% FF, and T4—100% FF. Results showed that the average number of hatched larvae (654 ± 101) and fry survival after 2 weeks of rearing (428 ± 70), after completion of three spawning, were recorded highest in the control group, which was, however, not significantly different from the T1, T2, and T3 groups. At the end of the feeding trial, the highest hatching percentage (90.3%) was registered in the T2 group, which was not significantly different from the control and T1 groups. The T2 group also recorded highest fry survival (65.54%) after completion of three spawning, which was not significantly (P