Comparison of carp aquaculture in ponds and basins in Antsirabe Vakinankaratra Madagascar: effect of food and environmental parameters

Abstract

To enhance carp production, four experimental diets formulated from locally available raw materials and incorporating varying proportions of banana flour were evaluated. Each diet was standardized to contain 36% crude protein and 8% lipids. The feeds were administered to common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings with an initial mean weight of 9 g. After a 50-day feeding trial conducted in both pond and tank rearing systems, comparable growth performances were observed across treatments. Final weight gain (WG) ranged from 120.88 g to 125.08 g, while daily weight gain (DWG) varied between 2.21 g/day and 2.31 g/day. The specific growth rate (SGR) remained consistent across treatments, ranging from 2.46% to 2.49%. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) were similarly efficient in both systems, ranging from 1.15 to 1.16, and survival reached 100% in all cases. Although ponds demonstrated a marginal advantage in DWG, tank systems compensated through tighter control of feeding regimes and water quality. Overall, the findings demonstrate that effective management can ensure similar levels of performance across both rearing environments. These results also highlight the potential of incorporating banana flour into carp feed formulations as a viable strategy within sustainable aquaculture systems.