Role of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in aquaculture production systems

Abstract

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is considered to be a very important aquaculture species in many Asian and some European countries. It affects the aerobic decomposition of organic matter and nutrient availability in the water column via bioturbation of benthic sediment during feeding on benthic organisms. If the density of common carp is not excessive, an increase in nutrient availability may enhance photosynthesis and plankton production, whereas if it is excessive, it causes dramatic ecological disruption at both the community and ecosystem levels by changing the abiotic properties of the water. Therefore, the density of common carp is a very important factor that has a great effect on the aquatic ecosystem. The critical density of common carp largely depends on its habitat. In polyculture ponds, water quality, natural food resources and fish growth are strongly affected when the density of common carp approaches more than about 1000 kg ha −1. The critical density can be doubled if artificial feed is supplied to the carp. When its preferred food is not sufficient, the common carp switches to less preferred food and changes its behaviour and feeding niche. These factors make common carp a potential candidate not only for monoculture but also for polyculture ponds. This article reviews the role of common carp on the aquatic ecosystem, and the production and behaviour of fish in aquaculture production systems.

Habitat selection and reproductive success of coot Fulica atra on ponds under different fish size and density conditions

“…Common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) is the most notorious for substantial top-down and bottomup effects through omnivorous feeding, mainly on detritus, benthic macroinvertebrates and zooplankton; however, the foraging-related abiotic influence of carp may create an even stronger disturbance pathway, with declines in water transparency and submerged macrophytes (Vilizzi et al, 2015;Kaemingk et al, 2017). Variation in ecosystem responses can be attributed to carp population characteristics (reviewed in Rahman, 2015;Vilizzi et al, 2015). Consequently, ponds used for carp rearing differ in their suitability for breeding birds, depending on culture conditions and intensity (IUCN, 1997;Musil, 2006;Broyer & Calenge, 2010; see also Lemmens et al, 2015).…”

A review of the farming of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in Malawi: Policy research directions for aquaculture development in Malawi

“…In 2010, the fish accounted for 9% of the total fish production in freshwater aquaculture (Rahman, 2015). Some European countries obtain as much as 80% of their freshwater aquaculture production from common carp alone (Woynarovich et al, 2010;Rahman, 2015). During test trials from 1976 to 1983 at the Domasi and Kasinthula Experimental Stations in Malawi, the carp performed well in ponds with growth increments averaging 4 g/day, leading to yields of 5 t/ha/year .…”

“…Thus, the common carp was the first to be introduced outside its natural range for aquaculture farming (Balon, 1995;Alves et al, 1999) and remains the most widely distributed fish in the world (ISSG, 2000;Zhou et al, 2003;Casal, 2006). In 2010, the fish accounted for 9% of the total fish production in freshwater aquaculture (Rahman, 2015). Some European countries obtain as much as 80% of their freshwater aquaculture production from common carp alone (Woynarovich et al, 2010;Rahman, 2015).…”

“…(1) Comparison of ecological impacts between common carp and C. gariepinus: Both of these species are benthivorous (Koekemoer and Steyn, 2002;Rahman, 2015). Anecdotal field observations of the impacts of these fishes in Malawi suggest they may impact on ecosystems in the same way.…”

Effects of Pond Fertilization and Feeding of Carp Fry (Cyprinus carpio L.) on Diversity of Zooplankton Groups (Rotifera, Cladocera, and Copepoda)

“…Thus the development of aquatic fauna is stimulated by mineral fertilizers, which increase the food base for the fry [14][15][16]. In order to increase natural productivity in carp farms, organic fertilizers such as manure, slurry, green manure, straw, hay, or soya fl our are applied as well as mineral fertilizer [17]. The aim of our study was to compare the biodiversity of zooplankton in experimental ponds with various combinations of fertilizers and supplementary fi sh feed.…”