Effects of different photoperiod on combined culture of wheat plants (Eleocharis acicularis) and Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

This study was conducted to study the effect of various photoperiod on combinedculture of an aquatic plant i.e. wheat Eleocharis acicularis with the fish, Guppy(Poecilia reticulata). For this purpose three treatments were applied, i.e. treatment 1without direct light, treatment with 2 hours of light per day and treatment 3 with fourhours of light per day (by direct solar luminescent light). In this experiment, 9 aquariawere used with their floor being covered by gravel and 10 stems of small wheat plantswere planted on them. Also, in every aquarium 20 guppies were introduced. Duringthe experiment, no filters, aerators and heaters were used as well as water was notreplaced. Every 10 days, some freshwater was added to the aquaria. Based on results,treatment 3 showed better growth due to longer hours of photoperiod. Generally, theresults revealed feasibility of combined culture of plant and Guppy in threetreatments. This technique can provide a condition that can be mutually beneficialfor both fish and plant species and is cost-effective.

Keywords:

Wheat , Eleocharis acicularis , Combined Culture , Light treatments