Optimizing Mixed Culture of Mystus vittatus (Tengra) for ClimateResilience and Food Security in Small-Scale Aquaculture in Bangladesh

Abstract

Targeting a holistic approach for a threatened native species of economic and conservative high value of the Indian subcontinent, a study was conducted to evaluate the culture potentiality of M. vittatus in the semi-arid northern region of Bangladesh to emphasize the growth and yield of Mystus vittatus (Tengra) in polyculture systems. The experiment focused on determining optimal stocking densities and species combinations for Tengra alongside other short-cycle fish species. Two culture patterns were tested: Pattern-I (Tengra + Pabda + Magur + Rajpunti + GIFT) and Pattern-II (Tengra + Shing + Magur + Rajpunti + GIFT), with each pattern trialed at three stocking densities (500, 600, and 700 Tengra per decimal) across 18 upazillas. Each treatment was replicated three times. Results indicated that the T2 combination, with a stocking density of 600 Tengra, yielded the best growth performance, production, and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) in both patterns. Specifically, the combinations of 600 Tengra + 100 Pabda + 50 Magur + 25 Rajpunti + 10 GIFT and 600 Tengra + 100 Shing + 50 Magur + 25 Rajpunti + 10 GIFT showed significantly higher yields (P<0.05) and were selected for further multi-location testing (MLT) in six upazillas across northern Bangladesh. The MLT trials confirmed improved performance over the first-year results, reinforcing the potential of these polyculture combinations. The findings suggest that Mystus vittatus is well-suited for polyculture with short-cycle species in seasonal ponds in the semi-arid regions of Bangladesh. These stocking combinations could be a valuable strategy for enhancing aquaculture productivity and profitability for fish farmers in the region.