Impact of predation by water insects on fish seed production in Lao PDR

Abstract

The predation of cultured larval fish by water insects presents a serious issue for aquaculture development in rural areas of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). In this study, the species composition of predatory water insects was monitored in a fish nursing pond. Laboratory predation experiments were then performed to examine the predation potential of water insects on 3 major cultured fish species, including Barbonymus gonionotus, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, and Cyprinus carpio. Anisops spp. was considered to have the highest impact on mortality by predation in Lao PDR. It was estimated that Anisops bouvieri can prey on 10.4-46.7% of larval fish within 24 h under standard rearing conditions recommended by FAO.