CAPTIVE BREEDING AND GROWOUT OF GOLDEN MAHSEER

Dr. Debajit SarmaSenior Scientist Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research Bhimtal, Nainital-263136, Uttarakhand

The important coldwater aquatic resources

Water bodies Steams/ Rivers Natural lakes Reservoirs Brackish water lakes

Area 10,000 km 20,500 ha 50,000 ha 2,500 ha

Mahseer the King of Game fishes

Important Species of Mahseer

Tor mussullah Tor putitora

Tor khudree

Tor tor

Tor douronensis

Neolissochilus hexagonolepis

Distribution All along the Himalayas,Assam, J&K, Sikkim Afghanistan,Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan

Breeds three times 1. January and February 2. May and June 3. July to October

Food and Feeding habitOmnivorous ( Feeds on algae, insect larvae etc.) Prefer carnivorous feed during juvenile and herbivorous during adult stages.

Maturity Male Female Fecundity 3375-8944 nos. ova/kg body weight 2+yr 3+yr

NATURAL HABITAT

Causes of depletionThe ultimate reason for the loss of biodiversity and natural resources is directly related to the growth in human population and the related stresses, which could be, summarised as follows. follows. HABITAT DESTRUCTION OVER EXPLOITATION WANTON DESTRUCTION AQUATIC POLLUTION INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC FISHES

Inherent constraints in natural breeding Extremely low fecundity Eggs demersal - can sink in mud and perish Hatching period is too long - 80 to 90 hrs Hatchling to free swimming stage - 10 days. From egg to free swimming stage for 15 days they are highly vulnerable to all kinds of predators

Artificial propagation

By collecting brood fish from natural breeding grounds Induced breeding (hypophysation) Natural breeding in ponds

Mahseer Brooders

Chasing

Stripping

Fertilization

Mixing of eggs with milt

Washing of excess milt

Hatchery Pre-requisiteWater flow1 L/m 3-4 L/m 4-6 L/m Incubation & rearing 2000eggs at 20-28oC. Rearing 2000 fry (0-3 months) at 20-27oC Rearing 1500 fingerlings (4-9months old)

Flow through hatcheryOver head tank Hatchery tanks Hatching trays 1000 L installed at a height of 5 m above galvanised iron sheets or fibre glass of 200x60x30cm of size 50x30x10 cm with synthetic netting cloth of 1mm mesh size. 5000-6000 eggs can be stocked

Egg development

Egg development

Mahseer eggs

Embryonic development of mahseer

Larval development of mahseer

Egg and larval developmentColour Fertilisation Hatching Hatching Lemon yellow/ Brownish golden 90-99% 80-96 hrs at 22-24oC 80-85%

Mahseer

FRY

FINGERLINGS

Artificial feeding

Mahseer Seed Ranching

Mahseer Ranching

Air transport of eggsTo facilitate the distribution of Mahseer seed to distant places, Mahseer eggs were transported in moist cotton by air. Fertilized eggs after water air. hardening process were placed between the layers of moist cotton in 2-3 layers and then kept in plastic boxes. As the minimum hatching boxes. period is 70 hours, sufficient time is available to transport the eggs to long distances. The eggs distances. can be hatched in normal manner. manner.

Transportation of mahseer seed

R & D in Mahseer Conservation and rehabilitation of endangered mahseers are of national importance to stock those water bodies which are having facilities of natural breeding and nursery ground. Stop illegal killing by dynamiting or any destructive fishing methods. Develop suitable device for facilitating the crossing of the barriers during migration.Strict enforcement of closed season for commercial fishing. Proper sanctuaries of mahseer must be identified and developed.

R & D in Mahseer Nutritive artificial deeds for different stages of mahseer development must be developed. Selective breeding must be adopted for developing healthy and fast growing mahseer. Pen and cage culture must be taken up near the breeding/chasing areas of brooder in the reservoirs during natural breeding migration. Intensive extension program must be launched with a view to create awareness among the local people for the protection of mahseer. Efforts must be made to stock the seed in those water bodies where there is facility of breeding and nursery ground, to enable the fish to develop its own progeny.

SAVE MAHSEER An important component of biodiversityTHANK YOU