Dec 22 2014

Small-scale cage aquaculture in Mymensingh River in Bangladesh

Credit: Abu Sayed Talukder & Zahangir Alam (Bangladesh) and Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the website)

Small-scale cages in Bangladesh (01) Small-scale cages in Bangladesh (02)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The small-scale cages seen in these pictures are placed in old Brahmaputra River. The small-scale fish farming in Bangladesh is considered an important opportunity to provide a protein rich food for families and to generate some income.

As seen in the photos cages are very simple it can be easily made using local materials such as bamboo poles for frames and netting. They are small in size measuring between 1 and 2m3, therefore the investment for building such cages is always modest.

Cages could be fixed (as the ones in the photos) or floating cages. The location and depth of water may favor one type over the other. A top cover is usually provided especially on fixed cages to minimize the risk of fish escaping, especially in areas prone to flash floods where water levels rise very quickly

A range of freshwater fish candidates whether for family consumption and/or for income generation include tilapia, Chinese carps, catfish (Pangasius sp.), silver barb, and the freshwater prawn. Also, the indigenous Koi (Anabas testudineus) have been found to thrive in cages.

Depending on the caged species, the nutrition could be fresh natural foods (e.g. duckweed, snails), household vegetable wastes, low cost feeds (e.g.  rice bran and oilcake) and occasionally, and particularly in the case of Pangasius, commercially available feed could supplement the traditional feed.

Bearing in mind the warm climate of Bangladesh, fish growth is usually rapid and market size could be attained –depending on species and target size- within 3-9 months, providing farmers with a rapid return and in the same time minimizing the risk.

The passing by boat seen usually carries sand, brick and/or other products and sometimes carries passenger.

 

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12188

Dec 20 2014

Tourism and aquaculture in Phewa Lake (Nepal)

Credit: Bishnu khanal (Nepal)

The photo shows some boats in Phewa Lake or Fewa Lake. This freshwater lake is the second largest lake in Nepal. The lake is located in the south of the Pokhara Valley.

The lake is famous for the reflection of mount Machhapuchhre and other mountain peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges on its surface. Also, the Taal Barahi Temple is situated on an island in the lake and could be reached by small boats. The north shore of the lake has developed into a tourist district, commonly called Lake-Side.

There are some commercial fish cages which exist in a part of the lake that are used to grow carps such as Chinese carps (grass, silver and bighead carps), and rohu. Cage culture in the lake was started in 1972 with the technical assistance from Japanese volunteers. The average productivity of cages is about 7 kg/m3 under no use of artificial feed.

Nepal (Tourism and aquaculture in Lake Phewa)

 

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12183

Dec 19 2014

Bullfrog processing in Brazil – 15-min Video

Video provided by: Juan Martin Canturin Garcia (Peru) Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the website and video channel)   The video was filmed in a processing plant in which frogs are being processed. Although the verbal description is in Portuguese (or Spanish), the phases of frog processing are clear starting from stunting the animals, passing by heading and gutting before washing, packing and cooling. It is obvious that this processing plant in this video produces whole meat of frogs. There is another video on the reproduction and culture of frogs could be found at the following link: http://youtu.be/22Q2S5KxPBU The following information has some background information related to the culture of frogs in Brazil. In Brazil, the interest in the farming of American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus has been growing because of the good taste as well as the texture of the meat. Frog meat is ordered at gourmet restaurants, but at popular places as well. The shortage between the supply and demand has been the driving force behind the interest in the culture of frogs in Brazil. By the late 1930s, bullfrogs had been introduced from the United States into Brazil where the first frog farm outside the United States was established. The real development in the culture of frogs began in the mid-1970s and continued through 1980s, as was reflected in the designing of hatchery, nursing and fattening facilities as well as in the farming practices (e.g. reproduction, nursing, feeding, and grow-out).  Farmed frogs in Brazil contribute by about 600 tons/year. The species, Lithobates catesbeianus is one of the largest frogs of the genus Rana which can reach up to 20 cm in snout-to-vent length, and up to 800 g in weight. Frog meat in Brazil is marketed in the form of entire carcasses or of frozen thighs. Individual frogs should reach about 175 grams if frog legs are targeted.

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12178

Dec 19 2014

Reproduction and grow-out of bullfrogs in Brazil – 31 min Video

Video provided by: Juan Martin Canturin Garcia (Peru)
Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the video channel)

This video has been filmed in a frog culture facility in Brazil. The video covers all phases of frog culture starting with some key biological information such as temperature tolerance (15-30 centigrade) and ideal temperature 26-28 centigrade. The reproduction of frogs has been covered in this video supported by life cycle diagram including, mating, incubation and tadpole production. The feeding has been covered in the video including the feed preparation and various types of feed as required by different stage starting by grinded feed passing by pressed feed before providing live fish (tilapia) to adult frogs. The video shows a type of chicken-fish integration in which chicken are raised in a chicken house above fish ponds where droppings and waste food drops between the slots of the chicken house floor. The changes in shape (metamorphosis) from tadpole to frogs are obvious in this video. Even though, the video brought in a glance on the processing of frogs, if you are interested, you may visit a special video on the frog processing: http://youtu.be/k0COaZBCt2I

The following paragraphs present background information on the culture and consumption of frogs in Brazil.

In Brazil, the interest in the farming of American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus has been growing because of the good taste as well as the texture of the meat. Frog meat is ordered at gourmet restaurants, but at popular places as well. The shortage between the supply and demand has been the driving force behind the interest in the culture of frogs in Brazil.

By the late 1930s, bullfrogs had been introduced from the United States into Brazil where the first frog farm outside the United States was established. The real development in the culture of frogs began in the mid-1970s and continued through 1980s, as was reflected in the designing of hatchery, nursing and fattening facilities as well as in the farming practices (e.g. reproduction, nursing, feeding, and grow-out). Farmed frogs in Brazil contribute by about 600 tons/year.

The species, Lithobates catesbeianus is one of the largest frogs of the genus Rana which can reach up to 20 cm in snout-to-vent length, and up to 800 g in weight. Frog meat in Brazil is marketed in the form of entire carcasses or of frozen thighs. Individual frogs should reach about 175 grams if frog legs are targeted.

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12175

Dec 17 2014

Cooking and consumption of Sabalo fishes in Tarija (Bolivia)

Credit: Rory Felix Mamani (Bolivia)

The photo shows an indigenous woman in southern Bolivia’s Tarija region from Weenhayek community while cooking sábalo. This kind of cooking is known as “stick” or gag. There are several fish with the common name sábalo. The communities in this region rely heavily on fishing.

Cooking Sabalo in Bolivia

 

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12171

Dec 17 2014

A model of vertical aquaponics in Colombia

Credit for photos: Edwin Gomez (Colombia)

Review: Edwin Gomez and Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the website)

 

It has been claimed that by growing vertically (shown in the photos), one can produce about twice the amount of plants compared to a hydroponic system of the same area. As in typical aquaponic projects, the system puts fish waste to fertilizer plant crops. Also, because the system is soil free with a minimum-if any- release of waste, there’s no need for fertilizer or for most pesticides.

Leafy vegetables, tomatoes and herbs are commonly used in such systems, and so do flowers. In regard to the fish component, several species showed significant performance. In regard to warm water fish, tilapia has been frequently recommended.

These photos have been taken in a recent vertical aquaponic model in Colombia. Because of the simplicity of the design, easiness to operate, and its relatively low cost, the model shown in the photos has been designed for people with limited resources especially in situations without much horizontal space.

Vertical aquaponics in Colombia (01) Vertical aquaponics in Colombia (02)

 

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12165

Dec 17 2014

Fish Culture Development course – 2014 – After the last technical activity

The photo was taken on December 13 after the very last technical activity in which the participants presented their group projects. This 75-day “Fish Culture Development” training course started in Cairo on the 9th of October, 2014. This annually organized training course is supported by the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA). The participants in the 2014 course are Abu Talukder and Zahangir Alam (Bangladesh), Codyo Bertin Ahokin (Benin), Rory Felix (Bolivia), Ana Maria Melendez and Andres Delgado (Colombia), Maritza Marroquin (El Salvador), Alejandro Joachin (Guatemala), Vui Kien Liew (Malaysia), Maria do Carmo Carrilho (Mozambique), Bishnu khanal (Nepal), Kanwal Odhejo (Pakistan), Martin Cautvein Grecia (Peru), Makhtar Ndiaye (Senegal), Ruchia Ananween (SriLanka), Sharaf Eldeen Haroun (Sudan), Narin Songseechan (Thailand), Stella Nabayunga Walugembe (Uganda), Willy Oviedo (Uruguay), Mariana Rodriguez (Venezuela) and Alick Mbewe (Zambia). As occurs every year, Dr. Abdel Rahman El Gamal delivered the first lecture and continues his contributing by several lectures in this course.This particular photo is missing Ana Maria Melendez (Colombia),Willy Oviedo (Uruguay), and  Mariana Rodriguez (Venezuela) for their early departure.

Fish Culture Developing 2014 (Concluding)

 

 

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12160

Dec 12 2014

Nutritive value of duckweed and its potential use in fish feed

Photo credit: Khamis killei John (South Sudan)

Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the website)

This photo was taken in an aquaculture facility in China

Introduction: Duckweeds are macrophytes which belong to the Lemnaceae family. They are small green flowering plants which grow as small floating colonies on the surfaces of quiet water bodies. The plant reproduces vegetatively with an extreme and rapid multiplication especially under proper conditions. It is estimated that duckweed can produce between 10-30 tons dry matter/ha/year, depending on the species, climatic conditions, available surface area, amount of nutrient and management.

These plants are almost all leaf, having essentially no stem tissue, with very fine roots. In nature, duckweeds serve as food for many species of fish and aquatic birds.

Nutritive value of duckweed: Duckweed enjoys a protein content of about 20-45% based on dry weight, depending on the nitrogen supply and has a better array of essential amino acids than most other vegetable proteins and more closely resembles animal protein. With the exception of the amino acid, methionine, the levels of essential amino acids duck weed surpassed the FAO reference pattern. Similarly, the levels of minerals in duckweed are usually high.

With its high protein content, its amino acid profile, its mineral content, and the low fiber in its leaves (5% in dry matter) as well as the little to no indigestible material recommended the duckweed as a good dietary supplement and nutrient source for even monogastric animals, poultry and fish.

Potential use of duckweed in fish feed: Formulated fish feed especially the protein content represents a major cost in fish production. Aquaculturists and in particularly nutritionists have been trying through trials and research projects to find possible alternative low-cost sources of fish feed especially animal protein.

Duckweed with its nutritive merit has been explored in many studies and was found a promising especially when partially replacing a part of fish meal which represents the most expensive component in fish feed. The research findings have been applied in fish farming for number of fish species including tilapia, Chinese carps and others whereas a replacement of (up to 25%) of fish meal has been successfully practiced without negative impacts on growth or production. Tilapia being omnivore fish has been found is a good candidate for duckweed utilization due to their feeding habits that allow them to benefit from plant protein.

Higher utilization efficiency has been achieved when duckweeds are grown separately and then provided to the fish.

Duckweed pond in China

 

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12154

Dec 09 2014

Establishing a marine hatchery in Tanga region, Tanzania

Credit: Fadhili Ruzika (Tanzania)

The three photos document the establishing process of a governmental marine hatchery in Tanga region, Tanzania. During the initial phase, some tanks were stocked with the fingerlings of milkfish (Chanos chanos). Milkfish is commercially cultured in operations along the coast of Indian Ocean. The species is a promising species in Tanzanian aquaculture due to its high growth rate; can attain an average weight of about 600g-700g after 6 months of growth as well as to its high consumer acceptance in local markets.

Establishing a marine hatchery in Tanzania (01) Establishing a marine hatchery in Tanzania (02) Establishing a marine hatchery in Tanzania (03)

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12151

Dec 08 2014

Transportation of grouper fingerings to cage farms in Thailand

Credit: Narin Songseechan (Thailand)

The photo shows the transportation of fish fingerlings in 200-l barrels and smaller. As shown, the truck is equipped with two air pumps for the aeration. The hatchery is located at Phuket province. In this particular hatchery, fingerlings of grouper, Epinephelus spp, to cage farms which are located at about 170 km from the hatchery. The barrel method could be applied to the transport of other species. Even though barrels are most likely not well-insulated, but fish farmers appear to effectively manage the transportation process through variety of practices (e.g. timing of transport).

Barrel transportation of grouper fingerlings in Thailand

 

 

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=12144

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