Organoleptic qualities and proximate composition of fish grown in good aquaculture practice-based carp fattening pond

Organoleptic qualities and proximate composition of fish grown in carp fattening pond were studied under three treatments of feed and fertiliser management. In treatment T1, inorganic fertiliser together with restricted feeding and silver carp. In treatment T2, both the organic and inorganic fertilisers were used accompanied by restricted feeding and stocking of silver carp, in treatment T3, both organic and inorganic fertilisers were used without the stocking of silver carp. Fishes were stocked with a stocking density of 2470 fishes ha–1. Three fishes (Gibelion catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus cirrhosus) were selected for organoleptic and proximate assessment. Cyanobacteria along with total phytoplankton cell density was significantly higher at treatment T2 followed by T3 and T1. However, in terms of productivity (Chl-a) treatment T2 was 27.1 and 13.3% higher compared to T1 and T3 respectively. Parameters assessed for proximate composition analysis did not vary across treatments and organoleptic test revealed comparatively higher acceptability of fishes collected from treatment T1 followed by T2 and T3 for all the fishes. Overall acceptability was higher for L. rohita from treatment T1. This study concluded that, the fertilisation along with surface feeder (silver carp) can improve the organoleptic properties of carps in pond.