Abstract

HUIPE-RAMOS, Ana Bel  and  BERNAL-BROOKS, Fernando Walter. Water basins management for extensive aquaculture of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) in the region of Zacapu, Michoacan, Mexico. Hidrobiológica [online]. 2009, vol.19, n.2, pp.129-139. ISSN 0188-8897.

This study provides an assessment of the carrying capacity of water bodies in the area of Zacapu, Michoacan for extensive and semintensive aquaculture with carp (Cyprinus carpió) by means of experimental trials in 27 ponds. A 3 × 3 factorial analysis with three densities (D_B = 0.5 org. · m^-2, D_M=1 org. · m^-2 and D_A= 2 orgs. · m^-2) and three feeding regimes (R₀ = without fertilization, R_F = fertilization and R₊ = farming by-products) included nine combined treatments between densities and feeding regimes with three replicates for each case. The combination of low density and natural food, analog to an extensive aquaculture in small water reservoirs, attained a maximum yield equivalent to 5,000 orgs.· ha^-1 . Empirical trials accomplished at seven temporary basins (<10 ha) under conditions of different stocking densities from 1,500 to 6,000 orgs.· ha^-1 lead to fairly similar yields to those obtained in the ponds. Thus, the general index used in Mexico for extensive aquaculture of 1 org. · m² overloads the regional temporary ecosystems and only the possibility of supplying additional food allows rearing of a double amount of organisms and improves the results of this productive activity.

Keywords : Extensive aquaculture; carp; small reservoirs.