Picture of Joeven C. Calasagsag
DA recommends giant gourami for aquaculture
by Joeven C. Calasagsag - Thursday, 31 March 2011, 11:02 AM
 
balita; March 31, 2011 4:54 am

MANILA, March 30 — Agriculture Secretary Proceso G. Alcala has urged fish farmers to venture into growing giant gourami (Ospronemus gouramy) as an alternative to "bangus," tilapia and catfish in inland water bodies such as fishponds, rivers, lakes, and even in dams and reservoirs.

Alcala said that based on research findings of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), giant gourami can easily be grown and can thrive on a variety of organic food, including "kangkong," duckweed, and small insects.

“Growing giant gourami will greatly benefit marginal fisherfolk as they need not buy costly commercial feeds to grow their fish,” Alcala added.

The giant gourami is a large freshwater fish native to parts of India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. It is regarded as a highly esteemed table delicacy in many parts of Asia because of its superior taste, and peculiar light-yellow colored flesh which is easy to digest.

BFAR Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento Jr. said they have been continuously exploring means to reduce the production cost in growing fish by looking into species that could be grown organically and is less dependent on commercial feeds to broaden its aquaculture base.

The giant gourami can attain 0.7 to one kilo weight in eight months culture period. It can be poly-cultured with tilapia and other freshwater fishes with complementary feeding and similar culture requirements. Field trials are currently in progress for its organic culture using indigenous feeds, said Dr. Adelaida Palma, chief of the Tanay inland station of BFAR.

Two varieties of the giant gourami, the albino and the black gourami, are currently propagated at the BFAR National Freshwater Technology Center (NFFTC) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, and in the National Inland Fisheries Technology Center (NIFTC) in Tanay, Rizal. [(PNA),scs/FFC/PR/mec]

Source: DA recommends giant gourami for aquaculture


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