Question

Floating feeds are preferred by .............

• A. Silver carp & Catla
• B. Mrigal & Common carp
• C. Crabs & Shrimps
• D. None of the above

Hint:

Using floating feeds for surface feeders like Catla allows farmers to observe feeding behavior directly and adjust feed quantities, preventing overfeeding and water quality degradation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Fishes and aquatic invertebrates occupy specific vertical niches in a water body, which determines their feeding habits.
To optimize ingestion and minimize waste, feed physical characteristics (floating vs. sinking) must match the species' feeding habits.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the ecological niches of the species groups:
1. Mrigal & Common carp: These are bottom-dwelling demersal species that forage in the sediment. They require sinking pellets.
2. Crabs & Shrimps: These are benthic, crawling crustaceans that feed on the pond bottom. They require sinking pellets.
3. Silver carp & Catla: Catla is a surface feeder, and Silver carp is a pelagic filter-feeder that active grazes in the upper water column.
Both species readily feed at the water surface, making floating extruded pellets the ideal choice to monitor consumption and reduce feed waste.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Floating feeds are preferred by surface and upper-column feeders, specifically Silver carp & Catla.