Induced breeding of
Indian major carps
INTRODUCTION
Breeding fish with pituitary gland (hypophysis) extract is termed
as Hypophysation
The credit for developing the technique of hypophysation in the
world goes to the Brazilians, while the pioneers of hypophysation
of Indian major carps are H.L.Chaudhary and K.H.Alikunhi
Induced breeding refers to inducing fish to release gametes
through the application of pituitary extract or hormones or
chemicals
Broodfish care:
The recommended stocking density of carp broodfish is 1,0003,000 kg/ha, depending upon the species
While rohu and mrigal are stocked at a higher rate, catla is
stocked at a lower rate since it requires more space for proper
gonadal development
Earlier the carp broodfish was fed with a traditional diet consisting
of rice bran and oil cake (1:1) at a feeding rate of 1-2% body
weight daily
Figure: Carp broodstock pond with paddle-wheel with paddle-wheel aerator
Figure: Dragging of carp broodstock pond
in progress
Grass carp also given tender aquatic weeds/terrestrial grass
Common carp broodfish needs seperation from other carp
species
Hence, segregated sex-wise and stocked in separate ponds to
prevent accidental spawning in pond
The rest of the species can be stocked in a communal pond or
stocked in separate ponds after species-wise and/or sex-wise
segregation
Catla, in particular, needs to be separated from the rest of the
species as it shows poor response to hormonal injection when
stocked with other species
It is believed that catla broodfish need special care and diet such
that deposition of mesenteric fat in the maturation phase does not
hinder gonadal development of the species.
Figure: Floating pelleted feed for carps
Figure: Carps being fed with floating feed
Identification of sex of brooders:
A prerequisite to induced spawning of the fish
Fish is sexually dimorphic and sexual dimorphism is exhibited
primarily by gonads and their ducts and this involves killing of fish
Also on certain morphological/external characteristics which
include size, length, weight, colouration, fin characteristics,
modification in the head in the form of nuptial dress, genital
opening, width of mouth, etc.
Carps are sexually dimorphic i.e. mature male and female are
morphologically different
Some of the external morphological characters which are
developed during breeding season could be used to identify sex in
major carps which mature during their 2nd or 3rd year.
Characteristics
Male
Female
1. Scale, Operculum and pectoral fins Rough to touch, particularly the
dorsal surface of pectoral
Pectoral smooth to slippery
2. Abdomen
Round and firm
Swollen and soft
Genital opening
Elongated slit, white in colour
swollen
Round and pink, not swollen
When pressure applied On
abdomen
milky white fluid oozes
through genital opening
a few ova may ooaze
through genital
Shape of body and size
Body linear, swollen
stouter, slightly larger
Figure: Male (top) and female (bottom) catla brooders
Breeding technique
Induced breeding of carps starts with the onset of southwest monsoon, June
The male and female brooders are conditioned for a few
hours prior to injection
Sets of brooders are formed, each consisting of 1 : 2
(female : male) ratio
The injected brooders are released in the breeding hapa
Breeding hapa :
A Breeding hapa is a box-shaped cloth enclosure made of long
cloth, generally of size 2 x 1 x 1 m with provision to close its top
after releasing brooders.
The upper flap is attached to one side and the other sides are
either tied or bottoned.
The hapa is fixed in a canal or pond or cement cistern.
The four bottom and four top corners are tied to four poles such
that the bottom of the hapa should not touch the ground and onethird of the hapa remain above the water level
Figure: Nylon breeding hapas
Injection of brooders:
1. Intra-muscular injection: It is administered into the muscle on the
caudal peduncle or behind the dorsal fin, but above the lateral line
It is most effective, convenient, simple and less risky
It is widely practised
2. Intra-peritoneal injection : It is give through the soft regions of the
body, generally at the base of the pelvic fin or the pectoral fin.It is
risky as it may damage the goads or liver.
3. Intra-cranial injection : In this method, the injection is given
through the cranium and is also risky as it may damage the brain.
Figure: Collection of brooders for injection
Figure: Selection of catla brooder for injection
The pituitary extract is administered through a glass or disposable
syringe, 2.0 ml capacity, having 0.1 ml graduation
The size of the needle depends upon the weight of the brooder to
be injected
Needle number 22 is used for fish weighing 1-3 kg, No. 19 for
larger fish and No. 24 for smaller fish
Intra-muscular injection is commonly practiced
The hormone injection (pituitary/ovaprim/ovatide) is given at the
caudal peduncle region in between posterior end of dorsal fin and
base of caudal fin, above the lateral line, avoiding the lateral line
Spawning:
Brooders should not be disturbed once they are released to the
hapa
After about 6 hours, splashing will commence for breeding and be
involved in courtship which will continue for one hour
At the climax of the courtship, both the partners will be seen in an
embrace with their bodies twisted around each other
This exerts pressure on the abdomen, resulting the extrusion of
gametes
The following morning, the spent brooders are removed and then
the eggs are collected and transferred for hatching in a suitable
hatching device.
Examination of eggs:
After the eggs are water-hardened, a sample of eggs is taken in a
beaker for assessing quality and quantity
The fertilized (good) eggs are transparent with a clearly visible
nucleus at the centre and look-like pearls
The unfertilized (bad) eggs are opaque white and the nucleus
disintegrate within one hour
Figure: Quantitative assessment of eggs
Figure: Fertilized eggs circulating in a circular hatchery
Fertilization rate:
It indicates the quality of developing eggs and is estimated
using the formula :
Fertilization rate (%) = No. of fertilized eggs/Total no. eggs x
100
Hatching rate:
It can be estimated by knowing the total volume of
spawn /number of spawn in a known volume
Hatching rate (%) : Total no. of spawn obtained/Total no. of
fertilized eggs x 100
