Polyculture systems for sustainable aquaculture: Assessing growth and health benefits for channel catfish, Nile tilapia, and rohu

Abstract

Innovative approaches are necessary in sustainable aquaculture systems to maximize fish health and resource use. The objective of this study was to compare the growth performance, survival, and physiological responses of Ictalurus punctatus , Oreochromis niloticus , and Labeo rohita cultured under semi-intensive monoculture and polyculture systems. This study evaluates the growth, survival, and physiological performance of Ictalurus punctatus (American channel catfish), Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia), and Labeo rohita (Rohu) cultured under semi-intensive conditions in both monoculture and polyculture systems. Four treatments were established: T1, T2, and T3 represented monocultures of I. punctatus , O. niloticus , and L. rohita , respectively, while T4 consisted of a polyculture involving all three species . The study analyzed growth and health performance over a 120-day experimental period. Growth performance varied significantly by species and culture system, with I. punctatus generally benefiting from polyculture while L. rohita and O. niloticus showed optimal growth in monoculture ( P ≤ 0.05); hematological parameters showed interspecific differences and some influence of culture system, with L. rohita exhibiting higher PCV and MCHC in polyculture and I. punctatus having higher RBC in monoculture ( P ≤ 0.05); immune responses indicated that monoculture generally enhanced lysozyme and IgM in I. punctatus and L. rohita , while NBT activity remained stable ( P ≤ 0.05); and antioxidant status revealed that I. punctatus exhibited the highest CAT, SOD, and GPx activity primarily in monoculture, and all species showed increased GSH in polyculture ( P ≤ 0.05). Based on our results for better growth and biomass production of O. niloticus and L. rohita monoculture is recommended, however; for stress resilience and enhanced immunity, for better growth and biomass production of O. niloticus and L. rohita, monoculture is recommended, for stress resilience and enhanced immunity, polyculture culture is recommended and vice versa for I. punctatus . These findings suggest species-specific responses to both monoculture and polyculture, highlighting the necessity of tailored strategies to optimize aquaculture sustainability. • Ictalurus punctatus benefits from polyculture with improved growth and survival. • Oreochromis niloticus and Labeo rohita achieve optimal growth in monoculture. • Hematological profiles show species-specific modulation by culture systems. • Monoculture enhances lysozyme and IgM activity in I. punctatus and L. rohita. • Antioxidant responses differ, with higher CAT, SOD, and GPx in I. punctatus monoculture.