Best Practices For Rohu Fish Farming: How to do Rohu fish farming to increase production and increase income

Rohu Fish Farming: In our country, apart from farming, fish farming is also the main source of income for farmers. Farmers can earn well by rearing Rohu fish properly. For this, they need to have the right information about everything from fish care to diet. You may have tasted Rohu fish too. It is very tasty and most people of West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Assam eat it with great fondness.

This fish belongs to the carp species which is found in fresh water. It is also known as Rui or Tapara. It can be reared along with other fish like Katla and Mrigal. This fish is famous for its wonderful taste. The reproductive capacity of this fish is also good and its demand is also very high. In such a situation, farmers can earn good income from Rohu fish farming.

Know About Rohu Fish 

The head of this fish is small, mouth is sharp and lips look like fringe.

• There are red coloured gram sized grains on its body. The body is long and round. Its body and the surface below the body are brown in color.
• The belly of Rohu fish is silver coloured.
• Except the head and fins, its entire body is covered with a skin called sulk.
• It has 7 fins on its body. Its length is up to one meter.
• People like to eat it a lot because of its excellent taste.
• This fish thrives well in normal water and easily adapts to normal environment.
• This fish has low fat content and is rich in protein. Therefore, it is also beneficial for health.
• It is rich in vitamin B-12 and Omega-3 fatty acids, which help in keeping the heart healthy. 

Breeding of Rohu Fish

Rohu fish matures in two to three years. A female Rohu fish can lay about 3 lakh eggs. Rohu fish lays eggs in open water, and it does not lay eggs in stagnant water. The best time to deposit eggs is between April and July. Artificial breeding technique can also be used to increase the number of this fish.

Rohu Fish Hatchery 

Rohu fish seeds are easily available. If you want to collect good quality seeds, you will get them in the local hatchery. Rohu fish fingerlings can be reared together with Mrigala and Katla fish in a pond of one hectare, in equal proportion.

Best Practices For Rohu Fish Farming 

When fingerlings are brought from the nursery, their size is 20-25 mm. They are reared in an earthen pond of 0.05-0.2 hectares for two-three months. Then when these fingerlings are 80-100 mm. When the fish become 10-15 grams (6-10 grams), they are put in the main pond. Rohu can be easily reared along with other carp species.

Rohu Carp In Ponds 

Ponds play an important role in fish farming. Therefore, it is important to build the pond in the right way. For this, the pond should be built in a place where there is no risk of flood. The soil where the pond is to be built should have good drainage and water holding capacity. Ponds should not be built on sandy and loamy land. If you want to test the soil, then for this, dig a 1 feet wide pit on the ground and fill it with water. If the water remains in the pit for 1-2 days, then that land is suitable for the pond. But if there is no water in the pit, then understand that the land is not right for making a pond.

Usually, fish farmers have to build 3 types of ponds – nursery pond, fish farming pond and fish production pond. If a fish farmer is going to start fish farming in an old pond, then it should be cleaned completely first. After this, it should be allowed to dry for 10 to 15 days and put lime in it. After lime, put cow dung manure in it, then after four days add water and fish seeds. There should be a water arrangement near the pond so that there is no problem in filling the pond. It should be filled with water up to at least 5 to 6 feet. If aquatic weeds or plants grow in the pond, then they should be removed.

Feed Of Rohu Fish 

Rohu fish takes its food from the middle surface of its water. The diet of Rohu fish is plants and nutritious organic matter. Rohu fish is an omnivorous fish. In the initial stage of its life cycle, it eats zooplankton (a kind of animal living in water) as a diet, but when it grows up, it eats phytoplankton (a kind of plant) more.

Artificial prepared food for fish is available in the market which is in the form of pellets. It is both wet and dry. In wet pellets, carboxy methyl cellulose or gelatin is added to make the feed hard. After that, pellets are made by grinding it finely. It is good for health, but it cannot be stored for a long time. In contrast, dry pellets can be stored for a long time. These are also of two types, one sinks in water and the other floats on the water. Fish also need certain nutrients for proper growth. They also need protein, fat, carbohydrates.

Disease Management in Rohu fish 

Melting of tail and fins

In this disease, the tail and fins of the fish start melting. The corners of the fins turn light white and gradually the entire fin turns white and starts falling off. To treat this, immerse the fish in copper sulphate water for 2-3 minutes.

Melting of gills

In this disease, the gills of the fish turn grey and eventually fall off. The fish has difficulty in breathing due to which it comes to the surface of the water and finally dies of suffocation. To prevent this, immerse the fish in salt solution for 5-10 minutes.

White spots

White spots appear on the skin, gills and fins of the fish. To treat this, immerse the fish in 0.02 percent formalin solution for 1 hour daily for 7-10 days.

Black spots

Small black spots appear on the body. For its treatment, immerse the fish in a solution of 0.03% picric acid for 1 hour.

Fish Leech

This disease causes skin and gills to get injured. For treatment, add one litre of Malathion per acre in the pond.

Vibriosis

This disease causes white or grey spots on the spleen and intestines. For treatment, give Oxytetracycline 3-5 grams per LB for 10 days or mix Furazolidone 100 mg per kg for each fish in the fish feed for 6 days.

Red Mouth Disease

In this disease, the fins, mouth, throat and gills of the fish turn red. Different types of antibiotics and vaccinations are available for treatment.

Rohu Fish Production & Marketing 

Rohu fish gets ready quickly. When its weight reaches about 500 grams, it is taken out for sale in the market. It is taken out from the pond with the help of a net. However, 1-2 kg fish is in high demand in the market and fetches a good price. Usually it is sold in the market at the rate of Rs 100 to Rs 160 per kg. A fish farmer can harvest fish twice a year. Apart from the local market, the fish is also exported to other states and abroad. For this, it is packed in ice.