Sarputi, Puntius sarana sarana (Hamilton): A Promising Candidate Species for Introduction into the Grow-out Carp Polyculture System of Tripura

Puntius sarana sarana (Hamilton, 1822) is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Puntius genus of the minnow family. This species is commonly called as Sarputi or Olive barb. The species has both ornamental and food value. The species is found abundantly in the north-eastern region and has high market value as compared to the Indian major carps. Thus, the species has the potentiality to be used as candidate species in aquaculture production for multiplying farmers’ income. Keeping the information in view, the present study was conducted to evaluate the possibilities of using the species in the polyculture system of Tripura for better income to the fish farmers. Based on the different combination of fish species, four experimental groups (T1, T2, T3) including control (C) was set up at the farmers’ pond of Tripura. Total ten farmers were selected from the Dhalai district of Tripura. The study revealed that the introduction of P. sarana in the culture system produces more biomass or yield as compared to the conventional system. However, T1 showed the maximum yield. Furthermore, the species have shown lower specific growth rate as compared to the Indian major carps as well as silver carp. On the other hand, the P. sarana were more successful in the present climatic condition of Tripura and had higher survival percentage as compared to the other fishes. Replacement of either Labeo rohita or Cirrhinus mrigala with the olive barb gives the better yield as compared to traditional practice. Economic analysis revealed that the maximum revenue could be earned by replacing any species with the olive barb. However, among the P. sarana based polyculture system, the maximum revenue was earned in T1 group.