What do you understand by composite fish culture?
Composite fish culture is the farming of fish in a system where a blend of 5 or 6 fish species are raised in a single pond. The selection process of these species is done on the basis of competitive attributes and feeding patterns. This selection is done to prevent any competition amongst the selected species which leads to availability of food for all the fishes.
Example: Surface feeders such as Catlas are mixed with column feeders such as Rohus, Mrigals, Grass Carp which are bottom feeders. This combination leads to an efficient utilisation of food present in the pond and enhances the yield of fish from pond.
The major problem with composite fish culture is the unavailability of quality seed. This has been resolved by the use of hormonal stimulation of fishes in the pond itself leading to a pure seed of each species in desired quantities.