4.3. Interspecific competition
In a balanced polyculture system, synergistic fish – fish and fish –environment relationships
are maximized and antagonistic relationships are minimized (Milstein, 1992).
However, if a pond is overloaded at any trophic level, interspecific and/or intraspecific
competition will occur and productivity will decline (Bardach et al., 1972). Competition
can be due to food shortage or worsening environmental conditions (Milstein, 1992).