Performance of Asian Watergrass, Hygroryza Aristata as Supplementary Fish Feed in Aquaculture

The quality and high price of fish feed are important issues for the development of sustainable aquaculture and food security globally. Present study was investigated for a period of 153 days using Asian watergrass as fish feed to reduce reliance on fishmeal in aquaculture. In treatment one, no commercial feed used and designated as T0 (Asian watergrass was planted at pond bottom and grown as 100% fish feed); in treatment two, 50% commercial feed was applied and designated as T50 (grass was planted as 50% fish feed and applied 50% commercial feed); and in treatment three, 100% commercial feed was supplied as control and designated as T100 (no grass was applied). Grass carp, common carp, tilapia, mrigal and rohu were stocked at 6:2:2:1:1 ratio with similar stocking densities of 15000 fish ha-1 in all treatments. Important water quality parameters were monitored those were suitable range for fish culture. The survival of stocked fishes varied from 76.67 ± 5.77 % to 96.67 ± 3.33 % irrespective to the species. The total production was significantly highest in T100 (5579.04 ± 238.74 kg ha-1) followed by T50 (4553.24 ± 124.05 kg ha-1) and T0 (4448.37± 237.26 kg ha-1). Calculation of benefit cost ratio showed the highest net benefit in T50 (USD: 5936.67) followed by T0 (USD: 5436.53) and T100 (USD: 4130.62). The present findings indicate that 50% commercial feed along with 50% Asian watergrass as supplementary feed practiced is economically viable and more congenial with getting more net benefit. To improve the productivity with congenial environment and searching more benefit, this technique should be applied in haor, baor, beels, canals, and other water logged areas pervaded by climate changes.