Evaluation Trial on Production Performance of Freshwater Mud Eel (Monopterus cuchia) in Farmer’s Pond
Parvez Chowdhury *
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh-2201, Bangladesh.
A. F. M. Shofiquzzoha
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh-2201, Bangladesh.
Anuradha Bhadra
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh-2201, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The experiment was conducted to evaluate the production performance of freshwater mud eel (Monopterus cuchia) with supplementary feed for a period of 5 months in field level. Two ponds were selected for this experiment in Maulovibazar district. Baby cuchia having weight of 50-70 g were stocked in ponds at a stocking density of 10/m2 in filter net. Liming (CaO) was done in all the ponds at rate of 250 kg/ha. A safety shelter for cuchia was developed by installing bamboo root, plastic and bamboo-made hollow pipe, aquatic vegetation and necessary objects in the pond. Different physico-chemical parameters were found to be within the acceptable ranges for M. cuchia culture in all ponds. Supplementary feed composed of fish paste (50%), fish meal (40%), rice bran (5%) and wheat flour (5%) was applied at the rate of 2-3% of body weight. After 5 months of rearing, total production obtained were 28.3±1.09 and 31.9±2.56 kg from pond-1 and pond-2, respectively. The highest production was obtained from pond-2 and lowest production was obtained in pond-1. The net profit gained from pond-1 and pond-2 were tk 2559 and 3211 per decimal, respectively.
Keywords: Mud eel, production, supplementary feed, water quality.