Evaluation of Balance between Fishes and Available Fish Foods in Multispecies Fish Culture Ponds in Taiwan

Abstract

Evaluation of the condition of balance between fishes and available fish foods in impoundments of multispecies fish culture in Taiwan was made by analyzing the quantitative interrelations between the standing crop of fish‐food biota and the stocked fishes of ecologically different species in a 6‐hectare pond with organic fertilization and feeding, and 99 irrigation reservoirs with a total water surface area of 697 hectares. In a balanced condition, the growth rate of plankton, macrophytes, benthos and nekton (exclusive of stocked fishes) kept pace with the rate of consumption by the fishes, respectively, of planktophagic, macrophytophagic, benthophagic, and nektophagic species within the impoundment. Studies of the interaction between the fishes and the fish‐food biota in the two types of impoundments of multispecies fish culture with different management methods shed considerable light on fish food utilization and competition in pond ecosystems. On the principle of fish production, these studies provide a basis for improved management of impoundments.

In situ studies on the distribution patterns and dynamics of microcystins in a biomanipulation fish – bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

“…Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), one of the most important freshwater phytoplanktivorous fish, comprises not only much of the production of Chinese aquaculture (Liang, 1981;Tang, 1981) but also a substantial proportion (e.g. 6% in 1989) of the total world catch in inland waters (FAO, 1991).…”

Gut contents of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) and the processing and digestion of algal cells in the alimentary canal

“…only much of the production of Chinese aquaculture Liang et al, 1981;Tang, 1981 but Ž . also a substantial proportion e.g., 6% in 1989 of the total world catch in inland waters Ž .…”

Genetic differences between the Chinese and European races of the common carp

“…Carp reproduced and grew in the same crowded ponds where they co-existed with the four or five other fish species, which together make the classical Chinese polycuiture fish farming (Hoffman, 1934;Drews, 1961;Tang, 1970;Bardach et al, 1972). This is contrasted with the predominantly monoculture of the common carp in Europe.…”