Question

What is fish farming? Explain the characters of cultivable fishes.

Answer 1

Hint: Animal husbandry is a branch of science that deals with breeding practices, caring of farm animals and farming. Dairy farming, poultry farming, bee farming, fish farming. Fish farming is the technique of raising fishes in ponds.

Complete Answer:
- Fish is a good source of nutrients which is rich in vitamins like B2 (riboflavin), high omega-3 fatty acids, proteins and micronutrients like iron, magnesium, zinc etc. As fish is considered a healthy source of food, fish farming becomes a good source of employment and food.
- Fish farming is rearing of fishes which are rich in proteins and high nutritional value in artificial tanks and ponds. In such tanks all the optimum conditions like temperature, pH, fish food, cleaning, $O_2$ concentration is maintained. Fish farming is also known as pisciculture.
- The most common and important fishes used in fish farming are salmon, carp, catfish, milk fish, rohu, catla and many more.
- Although fish farming is profitable and meets the demands of food for a lot of people around the world, proper care of fishes must be taken as they are prone to risk of diseases. Tank cleaning, antibiotics treatment and pesticides must be used to control diseases.

Characters of cultivable fishes are:
- They should be resistant to common diseases and parasitic attacks.
- They should grow in appreciable size in a short period of time.
- They should be able to coexist with other fishes and should not harm other fishes or interfere in their activities.
- They should be able to adapt in a new environment and have capability to cope with changes in environment like temperature, salinity, oxygen concentrations.
- High nutritional value with more edible flesh is a more acceptable trait.
- They should be able to survive and adapt in limited space and artificial food supplements.

Note: Fish culture is a profitable and good source of business as fishes are being consumed all around the world as their meat comes under white meat and is very healthy. Fishes meeting maximum desirable cultivable characteristics are chosen for cultivation with proper conditions and maintenance; these fishes are reared and sold on commercial scales.