Enzymatic Profiling and Feeding Preferences of Catla: Catla catla, Rohu: Labeo rohita and Mrigala: Cirrhinus mrigala in Rural Polyculture Ponds

This study was aimed at understanding the enzymatic profile of three major Indian carps in managed and unmanaged polyculture systems in the Hisar district, Haryana India. The three species were catla (Catla calta), rohu (Labeo rohita) and mrigala (Cirrhinus mrigala). Analysis of gut contents of C. mrigala from both the ponds was significantly (p<0.05) dominated by phytoplankton. L. rohita gut had similar values of both phytoplankton and zooplankton while C. catla gut was significantly dominated by zooplanktons. The specific cellulase and amylase activities were higher in C. mrigala. It was further observed that these activities are higher in managed ponds as compared to the unmanaged ponds. L. rohita revealed elevated levels of protease and amylase activities which supported the omniplanktivorous nature of the fish. Analysis of digestive enzymes from the gut of C. mrigala revealed more lipase, cellulase and amylase in comparison to other enzymes. It can be concluded that C. mrigala was phytoplanktivorous, L. rohita was omniplanktivorous and C. catla was zooplanktivorous. Fishes reared in managed ponds seemed to have higher enzymatic activities in the gut advocating higher growth. The results of the study enhance our understanding of the feeding patterns at different stratus levels within the available nutrition in polyculture systems.