Abstract

Aquaculture increasingly contributes to human nutrition, but the expansion of semi-intensive systems is limited by the high cost of commercial food. This is the case of the semi-intensive production of carp (Cyprinus carpio) in artificial lakes and reservoirs in the state of Tlaxcala in the Mexican highlands.  24% cheaper alternative food from duckweed (Lemna sp.) (37%), soya (Glycine max) (36%), corn (Zea mays) (9%), wheat grain and bran (Triticum vulgare) (9% each) was elaborated on. The increased weight of carps fed with this cheap alternative food and the commercially available food was compared as well. The contents of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids were 35, 41, and 4% respectively for both kinds of food. Two hundred carps were evenly distributed over 4 concrete tanks of 100 m². Two tanks were assigned for feeding, each tank with one kind of food during 84 days at a rate of 5% of carp weight per day. The alternative food performed better than the commercial food. We conclude that the cost of food for carp production in the Mexican highlands can significantly be reduced by switching to the alternative food.

Key words: Common carp, experimental food, Lemna, Mexican highlands.