Seed Production of Clarias batrachus

1. Seed production of Asian catfish
(Clarias batrachus)
Saiprasad Bhusare
III Year, B.F.Sc.
College of Fishery Science, Udgir,
Dist : Latur, Maharashtra, 413517.

2. INTRODUCTION
 Cultured mainly in Thailand, Bangladesh and India.
 It is important food fish, commands high price -
(up to Rs. 200/-per kg) depending on local .
Preference :
The catfishes of commercial/aquacultural importance are :
 Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus,
 African catfish, Clarias gariepinus,
 European catfish, Silurus glanis, American catfish,
Ictalurus spp.,
 Thai catfish, Pangasius hypothalamus,etc.

3. Clarias batrachus
Silurus glanis
Clarias gariepinus
Pangasius hypothalamus

4. Distribution and importance of C. batrachus
 C. batrachus belongs to the family Claridae and Order
Cypriniformes.
 Also known as ‘Magur or walking catfish’, it is distributed in
India, Bangladesh, Thailand, etc.
 Found in derelict water bodies like swamps, marshes and
ponds and tanks.
 Can be cultured in oxygen-poor waters, as it is an air-
breathing fish importance.
 An important food fish in North-eastern States such as
Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, etc.
 Grows to 200-250 g in 6-8 months.

5. Identifying characters
 Elongated body, Head moderately depressed.
 Mouth terminal; Barbels four pairs; the maxillary pair
extends considerably beyond base of pectoral fin while
the nasal barbells extend to gill openings.
 Dorsal fin inserted slightly anterior to tip of pectoral
fins.
 Pectoral spine strong, finely serrated on both sides.
 Adults are greenish or brownish superiorly, becoming
lighter beneath; the vertical fins usually with reddish
margins

6. Food and feeding
Adults are carnivorous and cannibalistic when food is
scarce.
Juveniles are omnivorous.
Fry feed on zooplankton, while fingerlings prefer small
crustaceans, worms, mollusks, etc.

7. Brood-stock development
 Brood fish is maintained in cement tanks with a layer of
soil and running water.
 Stocking density is 8,000 nos. /ha

8. Brood-stock development
 Fed with a mixture of ground trash fish and rice bran
(9:1)
 Fish meal, wheat flour and soya cake can also be used
in the diet.
 Feeding rate 10% b.w. daily.

9. Selection of brood fish for injection
Proper selection of brood fish is important for successful results
Attains maturity after one year (150 g and above).
Sex of brood fish is identified based on secondary sexual
characteristics which are more pronounced during breeding
season.

10. Selection of brood fish for injection
 Females are slightly larger and have round and blunt genital
papilla
 Males are slightly smaller and have elongated and pointed
genital papilla
 Breeds naturally during April-July in paddy fields

11. Video of Injection

12. Induced spawning
Hormone Dosage
Female Male
Pituitary 20-30 mg/kg 1/3 dose
HCG 4,000 IU/kg 1/3 dose
Ovaprim 0.5 – 0.6 ml/kg 0.25 ml
Ovatide 0.6 – 0.7 ml/kg 0.30 ml
WOVA-FH 0.6 – 0.7 ml/kg 0.2-0.4 ml

13. Stripping and fertilization
At 14-16 hours after the injection, the male sacrificed,
the testes dissected out and squashed in 0.9% NaCl
solution.
This sperm suspension can remain dormant (fertile) up
to 24 hours.
Removing of Testis

14. Stripping and fertilization
After the sperm suspension is ready, the eggs are stripped on to
a clean basin/tray and are immediately fertilized with the
sperms (suspension)
The developing eggs are small, adhesive and are incubated in
plastid basins (12 cm diameter x 6 cm high) with running water.
Fertilized eggs HatchlingsRemoving of Eggs

15. Video of Stripping

16. Larval rearing
 The hatchlings (5-5.5 mm) reared on Artemia nauplii or sieved
zooplankton for 4-7 days, after which they are fed with egg
yolk/white suspension for 8-15 days.
 The aerial respiration starts after 10 or 11 days.
 Water exchange 50-60% daily; aged water preferred.

17. Larval rearing
 Fingerlings are reared in out-door tanks where they are fed with
ground trash fish and rice bran (1:1); stocking density : 200
nos./m2
 Prawn or molluscan meat can also be used
 Attain 6-8 cm in 30 days and are ready for transfer to grow-out
pond.

18. References
Breeding and Seed
Production Fin Fish
and Shellfish
- P. C. Thomas
Photos From Google
ICAR Website
CIFA Website
FAO Website
Breeding of Magur
(Clarias batrachus)