Fish is an important food, which is quite rich in proteins. 

The main products formed by fishery are: Oil with vitamins, proteins, fats, fins, skin and scales. 

Fishery or Pisciculture is a combination of agriculture and animal husbandry. Providing natural food to fishes, rearing in ponds comes under agriculture. The term pisciculture is the production, breeding and management of fishes on a large scale, under controlled conditions. As India has vast freshwater resources, there is a great scope of improvement in fish production. India ranks 7th among the leading fish producing countries of the world. Development and production of fish in freshwater is more than marine water (salt water).

Many people living near coastal areas depend on fishes for their food requirement. The main aim of Pisciculture is to produce fishes for food and secondly, it provides employment opportunities. 

Varieties (types) of fishes used for piscicultures. 

Selected Fresh water species: Catla, Rohu, Mrigal. 

Foreign (exotic) fishes: Silver carp, common carp, Grass carp, Hilsa, Salmon, Singhara.

Activities for Pisciculture: Construction of pond: Appropriate pond or tank is required for pisciculture. The pond should be constructed on land, containing clay soil. Sunlight should reach on the bottom of the pond. Inlet and outlet of water in the pond should be proper.

Food material for fishes: 

Two types of food are needed for the fishes: 

1. Natural food, 

2. Artificial food. 

1. Natural food consists of small aquatic plants and animals. For a continuous supply of this food, bio fertilisers and birds excreta are added. Lime (CaO) is added to water, to reduce the acidity of water. 

2. Artificial food is also needed for the rapid development of fishes. Crushed grains, powdered wheat, soyabean, yeast, rice bran, etc. are included in artificial food. 

3. Removal of fishes from a pond: Fishes are taken out, once in a year. All the fishes should not be taken out. Partial removal of fishes increases the production of fishes and it should be done early in the morning. 

4. Precautions of pisciculture: 

1. Pollution of water causes great harm to the fishes. So, the pond should be cleaned regularly and non-beneficial plants should be removed. 

2. Fishes suffer from many types of diseases, caused by bacteria and viruses, so fishes should be checked at regular interval of time and treated, accordingly. 

3. Introduction of small fishes should be done early in the morning. 

4. During thunder, lightening and raining, fishing should not be done. 

5. Fish food should be palatable.