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Training Manual on Breeding, Rearing and Management of Indian Major

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 Training Manual on
Breeding, Rearing and
Management of Indian Major
Carps, Air breathing Fishes
and Freshwater Prawns

Sponsored by
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)
Hyderabad

Organized by
Fisheries Science Division & Krishi Vigyan Kendra

Central Agricultural Research Institute

Port Blair - 744 101. Andaman & Nicobar Islands
 Training Manual
on
Breeding, Rearing and Management of
Indian Major Carps, Air breathing
Fishes and Freshwater Prawns

Sponsored by
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)
Hyderabad

Organized by
Fisheries Science Division & Krishi Vigyan Kendra

17- 27 Mar 2009

Central Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR)

Port Blair - 744 101
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
@ 2009 by CARI, Port Blair; Can be used freely by all associated with the fisheries sector for
the promotion of brackishwater aquaculture in Andaman with due acknowledgement.

Concept and Facilitation

Dr. R.C. Srivastava
Director, CARI, Port Blair

Compilation and Editing

Dr. S. Dam Roy, Head of Division (Fisheries), CARI, Port Blair
Dr. Kamal Sarma, Senior Scientist (Fisheries), CARI, Port Blair
Dr. P. Krishnan, Scientist (Fisheries), CARI, Port Blair

Course Director
Dr. S. Dam Roy, Head of Division (Fisheries), CARI, Port Blair

Course Co-ordinators
Dr Subhash Chand, Dr. Kanak Lata, Dr. C.S. Chaturvedi, Dr. Kamal Sarma and Dr.
P. Krishnan

Course facilitators

Mr. N.C. Choudhuri and Benny Verghese

Acknowledgement
The editors thank the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad for extending
financial assistance for conducting this training programme and the publication of this manual.
The guidance and the unstinted support rendered by the Director, CARI is thankfully
acknowledged. Thanks are due to all the faculty members of Fisheries Science Division and
Krishi Vigyan Kendra for presenting various lectures on the subject. Special thanks to Mr. M.
Kaliyamoorthy, SRF who helped in compiling this manual.
Content
1 Status of freshwater fish seed production … 1
in Andaman and Nicobar islands

2 Process and factors influencing maturation of Fish … 3

3 Site selection and construction of a small scale hatchery … 6

4 Broodstock development of IMC and Exotic Carps … 8

5 Seed production of Indian Major Carps … 11

and Chinese carps

6 Management of nursery and rearing ponds … 15

7 Transportation of live fish seed … 20

8 Composite fish farming in Andaman … 24

9 Integrated fish farming in Andaman … 28

10 Culture and breeding of air breathing fishes … 31

11 Scope of culture of Giant Freshwater prawn, … 36

Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Andaman

12 Water quality management in a freshwater Pond … 41

13 Live feeds in freshwater hatchery … 45

14 Health management in freshwater ponds in Andaman … 49

15 Economics of small-scale fish hatchery … 52

of Indian Major Carps

16 Marketing opportunities of fish seed and freshwater fishes … 56

17 Women self help groups (SHG) in developing … 59

freshwater fish farming in Andaman
Foreword
Fisheries is the fastest growing food producing sector in the world. In India
this sector has grown at the rate of about 4.1% in last fifty years. The
development in the freshwater sector is mainly due to the boost in the fish
culture practices and easy availability of fish seed through easily adoptable,
standard breeding technology.
Freshwater fishes command high value in Andaman which can be
accommodated into any integrated methods of farming systems. The concept
of multiple use of water through integrated farming system has been adopted
well by many farmers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as freshwater fishes
not only enhanced the productivity concerns but also multiplied the profit of
farmers. A huge proportion of the local population, predominantly the local
Bengali settlers prefer freshwater fishes to their marine counterparts, which
offer great scope for the popularization of culture technology in the Islands.
Andaman receives an annual rainfall of over 3000mm, which has prompted
many farmers to construct ponds for conservation of rain water and use them
either for agricultural purpose or for domestic purposes. Recently the
Department of Agriculture also constructed many ponds for the farmers
where fish culture is also carried-out. Major problem in development of
freshwater fish culture in Andaman is the limited availability of quality fish
seed in required quantities and in time.
In Andaman, CARI has taken pioneering steps in conducting trials on the
breeding, rearing and culture of different freshwater candidate species like
carps, air-breathing fishes and fresh water prawns. Production of fish seed
every year has laid a solid foundation for demonstration of technology among
the interested farmers in the Bay Islands. In this juncture, it is only appropriate
that the National Fisheries development Board, Hyderabad has recognized
the need for the transfer of technology and funded this training programme.
I congratulate the Course Director, Dr. S. Dam Roy and his committed team
members who have worked tirelessly to compile this training manual for the
benefit of the farmers. It is my sincere hope that this will go a long way in the
promotion of freshwater fish culture in Andaman and pave way for
enhancing the livelihood alternatives for the farmers of the Islands.

25 Mar 2009 (R.C. Srivastava)

Port Blair-744 101 Director, CARI
 1 Status of freshwater fish seed production
in Andaman and Nicobar islands

S. Dam Roy, Kamal Sarma, P. Krishnan, C.S. Chaturvedi,

Grinson George & Benny Varghese
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

The history of freshwater fish culture in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is of recent origin. The
immigration of people from erstwhile East Pakistan and subsequently from other states of
mainland India, ushered the practice of freshwater fish culture in a big way in Andaman and
Nicobar Islands. These immigrants or people settled in Andaman under panel settlement
introduced the freshwater fishes in their backyard pond or irrigation ponds.

People of mainland had a liking for the major carps like catla, rohu and mrigal. Department of
Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar island in their plan scheme had a provision for construction
of irrigation ponds and has constructed a good number of ponds in north, middle and south
Andamans. Some of the ponds were constructed in Neil, Havelock, Hutbay, Car Nicobar and
Campbell bay areas. Many of the ponds were constructed under private initiatives also. After
the Tsunami of December 2004, Andaman and Nicobar Administration as a rehabilitation
measure has constructed around 200 more number of ponds in different parts of Andaman. A
conservative estimate for the fish seed production of A & N Islands is around 15 lakhs of
fingerlings of Indian Major carps. The major chunk of fish seed production is supposed to be
done by the Department of Fisheries, A & N Administration followed by Central Agricultural
Research Institute, Port Blair and to some extent by the private entrepreneur/ farmers.

The government farms are not producing enough seeds during the required time. Although
there is a huge Chinese hatchery being set up at Nayagaon Hatchery, its production is far
below its capacity.

Seed produced so far, is by traditional hapa and induced breeding technique. Mass breeding
through Chinese hatchery has not been achieved. Another impediment is the widely dispersed
islands, lack of faster transportation facility. One has to depend on the Andaman Grand Trunk
Road, with transshipment arrangement in two creek areas. Secondly, the transportation also
depends upon the inter-island shipping. The infrastructure with respect to seed production
has not been developed so far in the Islands.

Production of quality seed is another issue. Farmers are not getting quality seeds; sometime
even tilapia seeds are getting mixed up in place of IMC seeds. Secondly, demand of farmers as
per their requirement is also not met. Say for e.g. seed of catle, rohu and mrigal may not be
available at the same time. Seed for grass carp are also not available at required quantity. In
the farmers field, the demand for the Labeo calbasu, Labeo gonius , Puntius sp., are also there.
There is also issue of illegal seed being brought from mainland. Sometime there are reports
that infectious disease has been brought from mainland by some unscrupulous traders.

1
Although fisheries regulations are there in place, due to difficult terrain it is difficult to monitor
the consignments that are brought illegally by sea port. They raise the spawn in the farmers
pond and subsequently sell them to the unsuspected farmers. These practice needs to be checked
by the Department of Fisheries, A & N islands.

Another aspects to remember is that under island condition there is a dry spell during December
to March, so that the effective period of cultre in A & N Islands is 9 months only. It is in this
context stunted fish seeds are to play a crucial role. Fish seed can be kept under high stocking
density and maintained to a desired period of time. Subsequently these fishes can be introduced
in the ponds. These stunded fish seed will show a spurt of growth and shall grow to a marketable
size within a periond of 9 months.

In this context it is pertinent to point out that there is a great demand of seed of Indian Major
Carp like catla, rohu and mrigal. So, also there is a great demand for grass carp. However,
silver carp and common carp are not preferred much in these Islands. There is a growing
demand for Giant fresh water prawn and air breathing fishes, the breeding technology of
which has been standardized in Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair. Many of
the progressive farmers of A & N Islands are deriving much profit by induced breeding of
these fishes.

2
 2 Process and Factors influencing Maturation of Fish
Kamal Sarma and P. Krishnan
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

Indian major carps and Chinese carps breed naturally in the running waters of their natural
habitat especially in the monsoon seasons. In confined environmental like ponds and tanks,
although they attain gonadal maturity they do not spawn and reproduce. The only source of
seed for an aquaculturist prior to the introduction of hypophysation technique was from natural
collection mostly from rivers and streams. Natural seed invariability is a mixture of desirable
and undesirable (minor carps, predatory fish, etc.) species and collection also becoming
uneconomical and time consuming. The Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute,
Barrackpore achieved a major breakthrough in induced breeding of carps in the year 1957
and this technique helps in producing absolutely pure seeds and reduces dependency on
monsoon.
Reproduction in fish is regulated by hormones from brain, pituitary and gonads. In general
reproduction in Indian Major Carp (IMC) and Chinese carps are seasonal, starting from
recrudescence of gonad to final maturation, usually occurs in June to August in Andaman.
Endocrine cycle therefore, closely corresponds to the seasonal gonadal cycle. Two most
important environmental factors temperature and photoperiod, play major role in the release
and functioning of hormones.
Hormonal Control of Reproduction in Fishes
The action of seasonal environmental factors on reproduction is mediated through specific
endocrine changes. Endocrine mechanisms controlling breeding and maturation of fishes are
almost similar with the higher vertebrates. When environmental condition is congenial, stimuli
from the environment- photoperiod, temperature, rainfall etc. are processed by sensory
receptors, resulting in development of neural signals. This neural signal stimulates the
hypothalamus, situated at the base of the brain to release Gonadotropine Releasing Hormone
(GnRH), which stimulates pituitary to release Gonadotropine (GTH) hormone. Gonadotropine
hormones stimulate growth and development of gonads. There are two types of gonadotropine
hormones- GTH I and GTH II and are called as Follicle stimulating and Luteinizing hormone.
Thus GTH regulates the formation and maturation of gametes. But to regulate GTH, there
exist an inhibiting mechanism. Dopamine, a neuro-hormone is found to inhabit the release of
GTH in fish. This results in disturbance in the maturation process. It has been found that by
injecting domperidon or pimozide, action of dopamine can be blocked and resulting in an
increased and more reliable release of GTH when the fishes were injected with GnRH. Hence,
analogues of GnRH with dopamine inhibitor can be an important tool for maturation and
spawning of fishes. In earlier days fishes were spawned by injecting pituitary extract of mature
fishes. The draw back to the technique of hypophysation may be due to the problem of fixing
dosages and supply. The problem of deciding dose for breeding fish is mainly due to not
having clear idea about the potency of the pituitary which depends upon age, sex, stage of
maturing of the donor as well as method of collection and preservation procedure. The supply
of pituitary is also problem as one has either to sacrifice a fish to collect pituitary or from
immediately harvested fish before marketing. However, cut on the head of a fish generally

3
fetches less price. Now a days, synthetic analogs are increasingly becoming popular among
the fish breeders like Ovaprim, Ovatide, Ovapale, etc. Most of these inducers contain GnRH
and dopamine inhibitor.
Factors influencing maturity of fish
1. Temperature and photoperiod
Changes in temperature and photo period in a year are the main physical environmental factors
responsible for maturation and spawning of fishes. The importance of these factors varies
with the species and the stage of the reproductive cycle.
2. Water quality
Physico-chemical properties of water like water current, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH etc.,
are prime factors for survival of the aquatic animal and are critical for reproduction. In IMC
breeding, circular water current with high dissolve oxygen is maintained inside the spawning
pool to induce spawning. Many hatcheries also provide water shower for inducement. Pollution
also plays crucial role in reproduction. It has been reported that fishes from the polluted waters
develop depressed reproduction capacity, low fecundity, etc. Heavy metal, pesticide, sewage,
etc may alter or inhibit various steps in the reproduction process.
3. Food availability
Availability of balanced food (natural and /or artificial) in required amount is an important
factor affecting reproduction. It has been found that starved female produces fewer eggs.
Many fishes develop reduced eggs diameter and quality of eggs also may not be of good
leading to poor survival and weak hatching.
4. Social environment
Overcrowding may interfere with the fecundity and reproduction, independent of food
availability. Overcrowding in general, leads to reduced growth rate, higher embryonic
mortality, decreased fecundity, poor vitellogenesis, etc. Also it appears that overcrowding
affects reproduction via food availability, visual interactions and also phenomone (positively
involves in reproductive migration and spawning) release.
5. Stress associated with fish culture practice
Excessive handling, injury during netting, frequent alteration in environmental parameters
also develops deleterious effect of fish reproduction.
Stages of maturity of carps
Based on the development, maturity in carps can be categorized into 7 steps. Up to stage III,
the development is not very fast, after which the ovary will develop at a very fast rate with
increasing temperature. By the time stage V is reached, ovarian weight will be about 20-30%
of the total body weight and the gonado- somatic index in case male and female will be around
5-10 and 20-30% of the total body weight respectively. Gonado-somatic index of common carp
is relatively higher than IMC and other Chinese carps.
With the advancement of maturity, fishes develop few morphological differences. However,
the sexual dimorphism they exhibit externally is only relative and not infallibility distinct. At
immature and maturing stages, sexes cannot be differentiated externally. One of the most

4
common differences between sexes is the roughness in the pectoral fin – the males develop
relatively long pectoral fin and roughness while that of females are smaller and smooth. On
slight pressure, whitish milt oozes out of male while the female develops pinkish and swollen
vent.
IMC and Chinese carps generally mature in 2nd year onwards. If proper management (specially
in the brood stock pond) practice is adopted by providing nutritious food, optimum water
quality, optimum stocking density and pollution free water, very good success can be achieved
in fish breeding operation. At present fish seed production is a viable and highly profitable
business. In Andaman also lot of scope exists for the development of seed production. Hence,
a basic knowledge of maturation of fish and the factors affecting maturation will help the
farmer to develop better understanding in fish breeding operation.
Stage of Female Male
Maturation
I Immature Transparent, long and narrow strip Thread like and transparent
II Immature Thickened strip, translucent Translucent and thread like
III Maturing Opaque, granular and some time Opaque, pinkish white, thin
grayish, occupy 1/3 of body cavity stripe like
IV Maturing Dull grayish in colour; occupy Thick strips, milky, oozing
about 1/3 of body cavity whitish fluid on applying
pressure on the belly
V Mature Dull grey to greenish; occupy almost Thickened band like; oozing
the entire body cavity; ova whitish fluid on applying
distinct in shape pressure on the belly
VI Spawning Having loose eggs in the ovarian Oozing milt freely on applying
wall; eggs oozing through genital slight pressure on the belly
opening on applying pressure on belly
VII Spent Ovary- blood- shot, pinkish Oozing milt freely on applying
brown mass but gently shrunk slight pressure on belly
(Jhingran and Pullin, 1985)

References
Sundaray J.K., Arasu A.R.T and Kailasam M. 2008. Hormonal control of reproduction in fishes.
In : Asian Seabass breeding and culture.8-15.
Evans, D.H, 1998. The physiology of fishes, second Edition. CRC. Press, New York. 465-490
pp.
Pickering, A.D. 1981. Stress and fish. Academic press, London 185-200 pp.
Bhowmick, R.M. 1990. Hypophysation of Indian and Exotic Carps. In technologies for inland
fisheries development. 15-24pp.

5
 3 Site selection and construction
of a small scale hatchery
Benny Varghese and S. Dam Roy
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair – 744 101

Site selection
In a freshwater hatchery water is the most important factor to decide the location of hatchery.
Apart from that a few factors are to be looked into and they are:
y Availability of sufficient quality of water of required quality.
y Uninterrupted power supply
y Availability of skilled and semi-skilled human resource.
y Infrastructure facility
y Source of finance and insurance coverage.
The Indian major carp and Chinese carp mature in confined waters but they do not breed
spontaneously in confined waters. Generally they breed in rivers during the south –west
monsoon. Availability of good brooders decides the success of induced breeding. Thus
maintance of healthy brood in broodstock ponds is the prime requisite for successful breeding
operation, which includes stocking of fish @ 1500kg /ha and feeding with formulated diet @1-
2% of the body weight daily and water exchange.
Hatchery construction and management:
Circular eco –hatchery is the most common hatchery system adopted all over the country. The
hatchery possesses three components i.e., spawning pool, incubation /hatching chamber and
water storage and supply systems.
Spawning pool is also called breeding pool. Its purpose is to hold injected brooders for natural
spawning and fertilization. The pool requires uninterrupted filtered, well-oxygenated supply
of water with optimum temperature. The depth in the breeding pool is maintained up to 1.5 m
based on the brood density. 3-5 kg of brood/m3 is recommended. The breeding pool should
have a sloppy bottom leading to the outlet at center, so that it can be completely drained when
required without leaving any eggs. It is essential to provide a simulative riverine environment
in the spawning pool. The centrifugal flow makes the operation of inlet and outlet more
effective.
The size and number of spawning pool may vary based on the production requirement and
the size of the breeding pool. The duck mouth direction and the speed of water are well
adjusted for smooth circulation of eggs in the water preventing them from mechanical injury.
The circulation keeps the fertilized eggs evenly distributed in the water column and keeps
them rolling slowly. Eggs at a concentration of 0.7-0.8 million per cubic meter of water would
be optimum for incubation.

6
The circular pool has the advantage of holding a large volume of eggs, convenient to manage
and higher hatching of embryos which takes place within 14-18 h in Indian major carps. The
spawn are kept in the hatching pool till 72 h before transfer to nursery.
Portable FRP Carp Hatchery
Breeding Pool
The breeding pool is cylindrical in shape with 2 m diameter and 1 meter height. The bottom is
with uniform slope towards the outlet at the center and the wall thickness varies from 5-6mm
.For providing circulatory water flow 3-4 PVC elbows (duck beak) with required size pipe line
is fitted at the bottom of the side wall with equal spacing. A single point water inlet is connected
with individually full-way valves to control the flow of water. A shower is also provided at
the top of the tank to aerate the water .The water supply to the pool comes from the overhead
tank. If necessary the system can be operated with a 0.5 hp electric pump. Breeding of 10 kg
fish can be done in every operation.
Hatching /Incubation tank
The tank is cylindrical in shape and measures 1.25 m dia and 1 m height and can hold a
volume of 1000 liter of eggs. It consists of egg incubation chamber, FRP inner chamber, FRP
socket and a source of water supply .The inner chamber of the tank is with 0.4 m dia and 0.9 m
height covered with nylon bolting cloth to filter the excess water to the drain . 4-5 numbers of
PVC duck beak elbow along the inside bottom with connecting pipeline are fitted at the outside
bottom at equal distance to keep the eggs in circulatory flow. It also has drainage out let at the
center and the outer chamber fro draining and cleaning. The eggs are introduced in the outer
chamber of the system and water flows continuously through the duck beak. The excess water
flows out through the mesh cloth of the inner chamber to the outlet pipe. The eggs hatche out
in 14-18 hours and remain in the tank for 72 h. the spawn is collected in the spawn collection
tank .The capacity is about 9-10 lakhs eggs per operation.
Egg /Spawn collection tank
This is a rectangle tank of size 1x0.5x0.5 m size of 250 l capacity made of FRP with uniform
wall thickness .To drain the excess water PVC pipe of the required size is fitted at the height of
0.4 m from the bottom. Cotton inner hapa of the same size is fixed inside the tank to collect
spawn/egg from the incubation /breeding pool.

7
 4 Broodstock Development of IMC and Exotic Carps
C.S. Chaturvedi
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair – 744 101.

The Indian major carps, grass carp and silver carp naturally breed in rivers during monsoon.
For breeding they require running water and river conditions in nature. They do not breed
naturally in confined waters but can be induced to do so by fish pituitary gland, HCG, ovaprim
or ovatide. For successful induced breeding at the farm following steps are essential.
Management of brood fishes
Prior to breeding season, the fishes are kept under captivity for 3-6 months in stocking ponds.
The size of the brood fish pond may be around 0.2 to 0.5 ha, with a minimum of 1.2-1.5 m
depth during summer season. The ponds should be having inlet and outlet and should be
drainable. The brood fish ponds have to be suitably managed to produce natural food. Good
brood fishes weighing 1-3 kg are stocked at 1500-2000 kg/ha. To ensure good growth and
gonadal development, artificial feeding (oilcake and rice bran at 1:1) is given at 3-5% of body
weight daily. Freshwater is also added time to time to maintain the depth of the pond. For
grass carp suitable aquatic weeds are to be provided in culture ponds.

Selection of Brood fishes

Good brood stock is considered very important for successful breeding. Generally the Indian
major carps mature after two years of age. The brood fish are required to be selected very
carefully. Usually the fishes are kept for breeding in sets, which means combination of one
female and two males. As a matter of fact it is a single male which participates in breeding and
the second is kept as standby. Breeding sets could also be in different combination (1:2, 2:3 or
3: 5). Care should be taken while selecting the brood fish. The male and female fishes can be
selected on the basis of the following Characters. Carps generally breed in the monsoon period
(June – August ) in most parts of the country.
Male fish Female fish.

Dorsal surface of pectoral fin rough Dorsal surface of the pectoral fin smooth
Oozes milt when there belly is Swollen vent and soft bulging abdomen.
gently pressed
Body colour dull Body colour bright
Vent colour dark Vent colour light pink

Source of brood fish :

y Selected mature fish of different species, from the stocking ponds
y Adult fishes of different species from rivers, lakes and resources or other fish farms.

8
Care for selection of Brood fishes
1. Selected brood fish stock should be examined periodically for their condition.
2. The gonads sometimes fail to develop due to following factors.
y Inadequate food.
y Unfavourable ecological conditions.
y Genetic defects.
3. Both the age and size of the broodfishes are important
4. Carps of 2- 4 years old and weighing 2-5 kg are the best for hypophysation
5. Careful transport of brood fish is equally important.
Organic fertilizer
In aquatic system, natural fish food is produced by the application of manures and fertilizers.
In fish ponds traditionally cheap and best source of manuring is raw cow-dung. After
application of optimum level of RCD, the colour of pond water becomes light green or grey. It
indicates that the pond water has sufficient quantity of natural fish food organisms. Raw cow
dung should be applied at the following rate.
New pond : 10,000 - 12,000 kg/ha
Old Pond : 1,250 - 8,500 kg/ha
Raw cow dung is applied in installments. First installment of RCD is applied (20%) 15 days
prior to the stocking. If mahua oil cake is applied to poison the fish pond, it is not essential to
apply be first installment. Rest 80% of RCD is divided in 11 equal installments and is applied
every month. Slowly it gets dissolved.
Inorganic fertilizers
To increase the fertility of the pond, chemical fertilizers are also applied in addition to RCD. It
mainly includes urea, single super phosphate, etc. The doses are given below:
Urea = 25 kg/ha/year
Ammonium sulphate = 15 kg/ha/year
Single super phosphate = 300 kg/ha/year
Murat of Potash = 40 kg/ha/year
Food for fish
When the amount of natural food is insufficient, artificial or supplementary feed is applied.
The conventional supplementary feed is composed of rice bran, oil cake (ground nut or
mustard), silkwarm pupae, dried fish or shrimp. Generally when rice bran and oil cake are
fed in the ratio of 1:1, the feed contains about 20-30% protein and all essential components like
protein, fat and carbohydrate. Artificial supplementary feed is given from the next day of
stocking the seed fish. It is applied @ 2-3% of the body weight of fish per day. Food balls are
kept in the tray placed in the pond at specific place.

9
If grass carp seed is stocked then aquatic weeds are given in the pond. Grass carp is a voracious
feeder and it consumes grass more than its body weight daily. If aquatic plants are not available,
then terrestrial grass, Napier, Barseen and banana leaves, etc. are fed. Feeding time and place
should be fixed. In this system approximately 4-5 ton fish per hectare per year can be produced
in a village pond. This technology is economically viable and provide employment to the
unemployed youths apart from improving their socio-economic conditions.
In ponds, natural food called plankton are available for the fishes. In good fish production
ponds, the quantity of plankton should be 2.5 ml. To know the quantity of plankton, 50 l of
pond water from different parts of pond should be filtered by plankton net. Add a bit of salt
(sodium chloride). All the plankton will settle and quantity of plankton can be determined.
Precautions
1. Avoid much handling of Brood fishes.
2. Observe the male and female fishes carefully.
3. Do not press male fish abdomen repeatedly.
4. Select the good breeders without disturbing the fishes.
5. Flow of water should be maintained in the hatchery.
6. Transportation of fish is equally important
7. The brood fish should be disinfected with 3 ppm solution of KMnO4

10
 5 Seed Production of Indian Major Carps
and Chinese carps
P. Krishnan, Kamal Sarma and Benny Varghese
Fisheries Science Division, CARI, Port Blair

Freshwater fishery resources and scope for development of inland capture fisheries in the Bay
Islands is limited due to absence of major rivers or large natural water bodies. However, fresh
water fish culture is popular in Andaman mainly because of the Bengali settlers. The major
problem in freshwater fish culture, hampering the pace of development is the scarcity of quality
fish seeds. The estimated annual requirement of fish seed is about 10 lakh fingerlings and the
demand is expected to increase every year. Though Fisheries Department as well as Central
Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair is producing some quantities of seed but that is not
sufficient to meet the total demand of the Island. Also at present there is no well developed
private fish seed producing farm in Andaman which can produce quality fish seeds and sell to
the farmers. Hence, some people are illegally importing fish seed from the mainland. These
seeds are not only costly but also creating vulnerable situation of disease outbreak to the
endemic species of the island. Hence, a general guideline on fish breeding operation for
production of quality fish seed in this island is been attempted in this chapter.
Species selection for breeding purpose
In Andaman and Nicobar Islands the following species are of great demand:
y Catla – Catla catla
y Rohu - Labeo rohita
y Mrigal - Cirrhemmus mrigala
y Grass carp - Ctenopharyngodon idella
y Silver carp - Hypophthalmycthys molitrics
The above Indian major carps naturally breed in rivers and in running water conditions. They
do not breed in confined waters. For breeding them in confined water and for getting pure
seeds, these carp fishes are induced to bred using hormone injection. A general time schedule
for successful breeding of carps has been given below. The time required for the maturation of
fishes is about 2 years which can be shortened if we have brooders or brooders can be collected
from adjacent areas.
Area requirement for establishing a small scale breeding unit.
Particulars Size Number Area
Brooders tank 50 x 20 x 2.5m 1 1000 m2
Nursery pond 10 x 20 x 1m 4 800 m2
Free space for breeding operation 10 x 10 m 1 50 m2
Packing shad 10 x 5 m 1 50 m2
Feed storage unit, office room etc 100 m2
Total area requirement 2000 m2

11
Breeding steps
Pond preparation : 20 days

Collection of yearling & stocking : 2-3 days

in the brood stock pond

Feeding & monitoring growth : 2 years (for brooder same year)

Till fish matures

Spawning and incubation : May – August

Nursery Rearing : June-July, July – Aug

(spawn to fry) ( 15 – 20 days operation)

Selling of fry :

Rearing : 3 – 4 month operation

(fry to fingerling)

Selling of fingerling :

Management of brood fish

Indian major carps mature in 2 years of age but it is always better to have brooders about 3
years old weighing around 3 kg. Broodstock management starts from 3-5 months ahead of
breeding season ie., Jan - Feb. Potential brood fishes need to be stocked in ponds at 2000kg/ha
(200 kg/1000m2 area). During this period, active feeding starts, somatic growth slowly ceases
and gonadal development is initiated. For growth and gonadal development, supplementary
feeding has to be given by mixing oilcake and rice bran in 1:1 ratio at 1-2% of the body weight.
Freshwater is also added from time to time to maintain the depth of the pond.
Breeding season
In Andaman, breeding season of fishes starts with the onset of the South West monsoon (June-
August). Generally one breeding cycle, from the collection of brood fish for injection to 4
days-old hatchling ready to transfer to the nursery ponds requires about 5-8 days based on the
local situation.
Selection of brood fish
Males selected as brood fish will ooze milt when their belly is gently pressed and the dorsal
surface of their pectoral fin will be rough. While dorsal surface of pectoral fin of females
12
selected for breeding will be smooth and belly soft, rounded and bulging and their genital
opening swollen and pinkish. The male and females will be stocked at 1:1 ratio by weight or
1:2 ratio by number.
Dosages of hormone injection
Both pituitary glands and synthetic hormones are used as spawning agent. The dosage of
injection is calculated in terms of milligram of pituitary gland per kilogram of body weight of
recipient fish or ml per kg of fish for synthetic hormone.
Pituitary Gland
For pituitary gland two injections are to be given. Dosages are determined on the basis of
weight of the female and male fishes. First injection is given to female fish at 2-4 mg/kg body
weight and second injection at 6-10 mg/kg after 4-6 h. Male fishes receive only one injection
at 2-3 mg/kg body weight which is given when the females are given their second dose. Doses
can be increased and reduced as per the condition of fish and climate.
Synthetic hormone
Only one injection is necessary for spawning fishes. This reduces lot of handling time and
stress to the fishes. However, doses have to be appropriate as excess dose may harm the female
fishes which mat sometimes die. The synthetic hormones are available in the market in ready-
to-use form (liquid). For common carp breeding no hormone injection is necessary.

Pituitary (mg/kg)
Ovaprim Ovatide
Mal (ml/kg) (ml / kg)
Female
e
Species
1st 2nd 1st
Female Male Female Male
dose dose dose
Catla 0.40 – 0.50 0.10- 0.20 0.40 – 0.50 0.20 – 0.30
Rohu 0.30 – 0.40 0.10 -0.20 0.20 – 0.40 0.10 – 0.20
2-4 5-10 2-4
Mrigal 0.25 - 0.30 0.10 - 0.20 0.20 – 0.40 0.10 – 0.20
Silver carp 0.40 – 0.70 0.10 -0.20 0.40 – 0.50 0.20 – 0.25
3-4 8-10 3-4
Grass carp 0.30 – 0.40 0.10 - 0.20 0.40 – 0.50 0.20 – 0.25

Spawning
After injection, fishes are released into the breeding hapas, which are rectangular in size (3.5 x
1.5 x 1m to 1.8 x 0.9 x 0.9m), made up with mosquito net cloths. All the corners are properly
tied in the water column with bamboo poles. There is a small opening through which hormone
administered fishes are released in to the hapa. Environmental conditions play significant
role for breeding. Cool climate, rainy days, good water circulation, ideal temperature (27-
29°C) and pH (7-8) are very important for successful breeding operation. Generally spawning
takes place 6-8 h after injection. In the morning, rate of fertilization and total eggs released
have to be measured and released to the incubation hapa for hatching.

13
Incubation
The incubation hapa is double-chambered, where outer hapa (2x1x1m) is made of bolting
cloth (0.5mm) and inner hapa (1.8x0.75x0.75) of mosquito net cloth. Inner hapa is set inside
the outer hapa and fixed in the water column with bamboo pole. The water harden eggs are
released inside the inner hapa at 50,000- 75, 000 eggs per hapa. Hatching time for IMC will
vary from 14-18 h based on temperature. After hatching, the hatchlings will pass out from
inner hapa to outer hapa. After ascertaining complete hatching, the inner hapa with egg
shells, debris, etc. is removed. The hatchlings are left undisturbed in the outer hapa for three
days after hatching. During this period, the spawns will get nourishment from the energy
deposited in the egg yolk. After that period, the spawns are ready for stocking in the prepared
nursery pond.
Spawn collection
After 3rd days the spawns are ready to be released into the nursery ponds for further rearing to
fry or fingerling stage or can be sold to farmers. While collecting the spawns, the hatching
hapa is removed and the spawn concentrated in one corner of the hapa and then scooped out
with small container or tea strainer.
Returns
In a 1000 m2 brood stock ponds 200 kg of brooders can be maintained. With an assumption
that 80% brooders (160 kg) will be available in prime condition during breeding season and
60% will respond to spawning, then during season, 56 kg of female fishes will be used for
breeding operation. General fecundity of IMC female is 1.0 lakh/kg of body weight and with
80% fertilization and 60% hatching, one may get 23 lakh spawns. Hence, in a breeding cycle of
four months, a minimum of 23 thousand rupees (@ Rs 1000/lakh spawns) can be obtained, if
only spawns are sold. If they are further cultured to fry and fingerling stage, much higher
returns can be obtained from a small hatchery cum nursery rearing farm.

Quantity Quantity
Materials Materials
required required
Over head tank of 20mt 1 pH Paper 1
capacity (Optional)
Drag net for brooder collection 1 Potassium Permanganate 500g
Spring Balance 1 Watch Glass 5
Breeding Hapa 4 Petri dish 10
Incubation hapa 10 Measuring cylinder (10, 50, 100 3
ml
Conditioning Hapa 4-5 Tea strainer 3
Hand Net for Brooders 5 Torch 1
Ovaprim ( 10 ml capacity) 5 Nos Oxygen cylinder 2
Disposable Syringe 25 Packing materials
Bucket 6
Mug 2
Materials required for a small-scale fish breeding operation

14
 6 Management of Nursery and Rearing ponds
Kamal Sarma, P.Krishnan and S. Dam Roy
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

There is lot of demand for freshwater fishes in Andaman. Due to tourist inflow and consumer
preference, especially by the Bengali people, demand and price is accelerating every year.
Though fish farming is still at its infancy in Andaman, in some areas like northern parts of
Andaman ie. Diglipur, freshwater farming is developing in a more organized manner. Recently
the Department of Agriculture also constructed many ponds for the farmers, where fish culture
can be carried out. The farmers construct pond not only for fish farming purpose but to use it
as water storage tank for agricultural activities. The major problem, hampering the pace of
development in this sector is the scarcity of quality fish seed in required quantities. For this
reason many farmers are getting interested in setting up hatcheries for producing fish seed.
For successful operation of a hatchery, optimum nursery management is very essential. In this
article, the scientific method of nursery management is illustrated for the benefit of the farmers.
Fish hatcheries have nursery and rearing ponds where spawns are reared to fry and fingerling
stages and sold to the farmers. In nursery ponds, spawns are reared to fry stage and in rearing
ponds fry to fingerling. Fish seeds are traditionally classified as hatchlings (1-3 days old),
spawn (up to 8 mm), fry (25 - 40 mm), early fingerling (40 - 100 mm), fingerling (10 - 15 cm)
and yearlings (1 year old). This classification is mostly based on size. The management measures
adopted in rearing these seeds will eliminate these factors responsible for killing and poor
growth of fish seeds by providing proper and optimum ecological and biological conditions
in the pond.
Factors responsible for survival and growth
y Excessive growth of macro vegetation like aquatic weeds, phytoplankton
y Poor water quality condition specially dissolved oxygen and sudden rise in temperature
y Presence of aquatic insects
y Poor quality of spawn
y Improper handling and transportation
y High stocking density
y Presence of weed fishes and piscivorous fishes
y Disease caused by various causative agents like bacteria, fungal, viral parasite etc.
y Lack of requisite kind of food in adequate quantity
Stages in nursery and rearing pond management
A. Pre-stocking management
B. Stocking management
C. Post-stocking management

15
Nursery Pond Management
Nursery ponds are relatively smaller in size (200-500 m2 area), having 1-1.5 m water depth.
Seasonal ponds are preferred in comparison to the perennial one. Direct sunlight to the bottom
of the pond improves pond productivity. Of late, plastic pools and cement cisterns are also
widely used in large scale operation. Aeration, water circulation, water exchange, bio-filter,
etc are provided in Hi-tech super intensive systems of seed production.
A. Pre-stocking management
Indian major carps and Chinese carps can start external feeding only after 3 days of hatching.
From third day onwards they require sufficient quantities of food for growth and survival. In
a well prepared nursery pond with both natural and artificial feeding, spawn will reach fry
stage (25-40 mm) in 2 weeks.
y Clearing of aquatic weed : Nursery ponds should be free from aquatic weeds. Aquatic
weeds not only decrease oxygen production by giving shade but also hamper free
movement of delicate spawn. These weed may also be a harboring ground of many
aquatic insects. Weeds have to be removed from the ponds by manual labour during
summer months.
y Eradication of unwanted fishes: Predatory fishes, if present, will prey upon the spawn
besides competing with them for oxygen. Weed fishes will compete for food, shelter
and oxygen. Hence, total eradication of unwanted fishes is must for getting higher
production.
y Seasonal ponds those dry up during dry season are generally devoid of unwanted fishes
and require no treatment. However, for perennial ponds, repeated netting of the pond
with small size mesh (mosquito netting) can remove unwanted fishes. Fishes can be
killed by applying fish toxicants. A good toxicant should be effective at minimum dose,
leave no residual effect and have short duration of the toxicity to minimize effect to the
environment. Mahua oil cake is an effective fish toxicant. It kills fishes at 200 -250 ppm
in 3-10 h. Toxicity of this in water lasts for 20-25 days. Hence no spawn stocking should
be done before atleast 30 days. A trial should be conducted with few spawns to see
whether they survive or not. Fishes killed by mahua oil cake (active component – saponin
4-6%) are fit for human consumption.
y Anhydrous ammonia at 20-25 ppm is also very effective and effect last for 30-35days.
Bleaching powder at 25-30 ppm is also equally effective in killing fishes. Toxicity lasts
for 7-8 days. Fishes killed by ammonia and bleaching powder are fit for human
consumption. Urea in combination with bleaching powder can also be used to kill fishes.
y Application of lime: To increase mineralization of organic matter and for prophylactic
use, quick lime can be used. Soil pH of most of the Andaman soil is slightly acidic hence
about 300- 400kg/ha of lime can be applied. Lime can be applied in the pond soil or in
water, based on the form of lime and soil condition. It is better to do liming about a
week before manuring the pond.
y Manuring of pond: Manuring is done in order to produce fish food organisms particularly
zooplankton. Cattle dung at 10,000/ha about 10 to 15 days prior to releasing spawn
gives copious growth of natural food for the spawn. If mahua oil cake is used then
application of cattle dung can be reduced to half.

16
 y Aquatic insect control : Aquatic insects and their larvae present in the nursery pond causes
large destruction to the spawn. These insects either prey upon the spawn or compete for
food with the spawn. Hence, it is necessary to kill and eradicate these insects from the
nursery ponds. Soap oil emulsion is an effective method to kill these harmful insects. An
emulsion with any soap (cheap detergent) and vegetable oil at the ratio of 18 kg soap : 56
kg oil per ha is prepared by heating the mixture for a short while. The emulsion has to be
applied during calm day with minimum wind action about 12-24h prior to introduction
of the spawn, which will kill almost all the insects. Kerosene is also found to be effective
in controlling insect problem in pond at the rate of 80-100l/ha.
B. Stocking management
y Judging suitability of environment before stocking: If piscicide is used in the pond to kill
unwanted fishes, it is essential to ascertain its complete detoxification before stocking
spawn. This can be done by fixing a hapa in the pond and releasing few spawn into it. If
spawns survive and show healthy movement for 24 h, then the pond is completely
detoxified and ready for release of spawn.
y Stocking rate: Stocking rate mostly depends on the environmental condition and available
food. Generally well maintained nursery ponds generate sufficient feed for the young
ones. Nursery ponds accommodate about 25-35 lakh spawns of 3-4 days old per hectare
water spread area.
y Precaution for releasing: Abrupt changes in water quality parameters and water
temperature are highly detrimental to the spawn. It is always suggested that spawn
should be acclimatized to the nursery water by putting the container or the plastic bag
in the pond water for some time and allowing slow mixing with water from the nursery
pond. It is always advised to release spawn either in the morning hours or in the evening
hours. In the evening hours pond water is well oxygenated and spawn will get more
time to adjust to the new condition including hiding place to avoid predators.
C. Post-stocking management
y Feeding: Feeding is the most crucial step for survival and growth of spawn. Details about
the feeding schedule, nutrition requirement and feeding management are discussed
elsewhere in this manual.
y Water quality monitoring: General water quality parameters like temperature (25-320 C),
pH (7-9), dissolved oxygen (> 5 ppm), carbon dioxide (8-12 ppm) and alkalinity (80-150
ppm) should be within the acceptable limits. Harmful gases like ammonia, nitrite
hydrogen sulphide, etc., should be absent. Generally seasonal ponds do not have these
problems. But perennial and older ponds with lot of organic matter may have
deteriorated water quality which may cause mass mortality.
y Harvesting after 15 days: In a well managed nursery pond, spawn becomes fry (25 to 30
mm) in 15 days with a survival rate 50- 60%. The fry can be harvested using fine meshed
net (1.5 mm dia). Fry harvested are either sold or reared in the rearing tank for fingerling.

17
Rearing Pond Management
In composite fish farming, stocking fry in a grow-out pond is not advisable because fry are
delicate and may not sustain the conditions of a grow-out pond and many a time they may
perish. Fry should be reared till fingerling stage and then released to the stocking pond. This
will yield better survival and higher production. In a well managed pond, fry requires about
3.5 – 4 months to become fingerling (10 – 15 cm) stage. Rearing pond can be relatively bigger
than nursery pond. Preferred size and depth of rearing ponds are 500-1000m2 and 1.5-2.0m
respectively. Seasonal ponds are better than perennial ones. Management practice for rearing
pond is similar to that of nursery pond.
A. Pre-stocking management
y Clearing of aquatic weed and eradication of unwanted fishes: Management practices are same
as for the nursery pond management
y Application of lime: 300- 400kg/ha of lime is sufficient for rearing pond. Total quantity of
lime can be divided into 3 parts. First part has to be applied about 15 days prior to
stocking fry in to the pond. The rest two parts can be applied after one month each.
y Manuring of pond: Unlike in nursery pond, rearing pond is fertilized with both organic
and inorganic fertilizer. Cattle dung can be applied at 2500/ ha in monthly intervals
and the first dose has to be applied 6-7 days after liming and 15 days prior to stocking
fry in the pond. Combination of urea (100 kg/ha) and single super phosphate (100 kg/
ha) can also be applied in the nursery pond in monthly intervals (totally three times) to
increase productivity. The first installment generally applied after 2-3 days of stocking
and subsequent installments after one month.
B. Stocking management
y Stocking rate: Stocking rate in a rearing tank is about 2- 3 lakh/ha. It is better to stock
IMC along with Chinese carps. But if only IMC is stocked, the proportion of catla, rohu
and mrigal can be 2:4:4. If only grass carp and silver carp then the ratio can be 1:1.
However, proportion can slightly vary based on the local conditions and demand of
fingerling in the locality.
C. Post-stocking
y Feeding: Details about the feeding schedule and feeding management are discussed
elsewhere in this manual.
y Application of organic and inorganic fertilizer: In post-stocking management, application
of lime, organic and inorganic fertilizers have to be done every month for continuous
supply of sufficient quantities of plankton. Continuous supply of quality feed (natural
and artificial) will enhance growth and survival of fry.
y Harvesting after 3½ - 4 months: In well managed rearing ponds, fry becomes fingerling
(10 to 15 cm) in 3½ - 4 months with a survival rate of about 80%. Fingerlings can be
harvested using drag net and sold in the local market.

18
Yearling and carry over seed
Fishes that completed one year are known as yearling. Fishes if maintained in high stocking
density with minimum feed will not die or grow but they will be maintained in stunted
condition. Many farmers produce seeds in excess of their selling capacity and the extra are
dumped in a pond with very minimum care and feed. These fishes look like fingerling but
they are much older. These fishes when released into a well managed stocking pond with
better nourishment they grow much faster than even fingerling. As they are older they are
stronger also. Culturing these fishes in stocking pond can earn much higher returns.
Precautions to be taken in nursery and rearing
• Stocking density of spawn and fry should not exceed the maximum limit
• If pond develops algal film on the surface and/or if cloudy days persist for few days
feeding and fertilizer application should be temporarily stopped.
• If fishes come to the pond surface for gulping atmospheric oxygen in the early morning
hours or in other time, it indicates oxygen depletion. In that condition also feeding and
fertilizer application should be temporarily stopped. Pumping of freshwater from nearby
water source or aeration can solve the problem temporarily. The actual cause for the
problem should be studied and eliminated.
• The ponds and their surrounding must be cleaned. Ducks should not be allowed to
enter in to this pond.
• If pesticide is applied in nearby agricultural area, care should be taken that they do not
enter into the pond.

19
 7 Transportation of Live Fish Seed

Kamal Sarma, P. Krishnan and Benny Varghese

Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

Fish seed production units and the fish culture ponds will not be in the same place and seeds
need to be transported from distant places. Andaman is no exception to this norm, where fish
seeds need to be transported to Diglipur, Hutbay, etc. Transportation is one of the key issues
and if care and precautions are not taken, mass mortality may occur during transportation or
just after releasing seed to ponds. During transportation, fishes die mainly due to deterioration
of the water quality parameters inside the container. Decrease or absence of dissolved oxygen,
drastic changes in pH level, increased accumulation of metabolites like carbon-di-oxide and
ammonia, etc are some of the common problems associated with the seed transportation.
Generally based on duration of transport of fish seed, the methods would vary. The short
term transport would mean that the seeds will be released within 8 h from one place to another,
while long and very long term transport indicate the duration of transport as 8- 24 h and 24-
48 h respectively.
Conditioning of fish seeds
Conditioning of fish seed is essential for successful transportation of fish seed to far off places.
This enables them to survive in the restricted spaces in which they are unavoidably confined
during transportation. The principle of conditioning is that before packing fish seed, the fish
should be devoid of all food at different stages of digestion in their alimentary canal and
become accustomed to the condition of over crowding prevailing during transportation. The
period of conditioning is also an important parameter, which depends on size, health of fish
seed and duration of travel. Generally for short duration transportation, 6h conditioning is
enough but in general 24-72h is recommended for long and very long duration transportations.
Generally conditioning is done in hapas or in plastic pools where they are kept in very high
stocking density for a pre-designated time. During conditioning no feed is provided and
vigorous splashing of water is done. In this condition fishes pass out excreta and even
regurgitate the food present in the stomach and thus alimentary canal becomes empty and
thereby chances of deterioration of water quality during transportation is eliminated.
Transportation of fish seed
Polythene bags are used widely for transportation of fish seed. Long and cylindrical polythene
sheets available in the market are cut at desired length and sealed at one end. Generally bags
are made in such a way that their capacity is about 18 l. However, size can vary based on
preference and convenience for transportation. Readymade seed bags are also available.
General steps for seed packing are mentioned below:
1. Initially cylindrical plastic sheets are cut at a desired length (80-90 cm).
2. One end of the bag is folded and tied with rubber band and sealed in flame ( Fig 1)
3. The other end of the plastic bag is opened and 1/3 of it is filled with clear water (Fig2)
20
4. Recommended numbers of fish seeds are transferred inside the plastic bag (Fig 3)
5. Fill the plastic bags with oxygen from oxygen cylinder (Fig 4)
6. When the bag is fully inflated with oxygen, the open end is tightly closed so that no air
can pass out from the plastic bag (Fig 4)
7. Tied bags are kept out side and checked for any leakage (Fig 5)
8. During transportation, the plastic bags may get punctured. Hence, plastic bags are placed
in carton boxes or tin boxes during transportation (Fig 6)
9. The bags are ready for transportation
The number of fishes that can be packed in a plastic bag depends upon the size of fish

Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3

O
x
y
g
e

Fig 4 Fig 5 Fig 6

21
 and duration of transport. As duration and size of fishes increase, the stocking density
decreases. Packing density of fry/fingerling of IMC for 12 h journey in 16-18 l capacity
plastic bags is mentioned below (Mannon, 1962) :
Size( cm) Number / bag
1 5,500
2 2,200
3 600
4 300
5 226
6 80
7 70
8 40
Fingerlings can be transported both in plastic bags or larger containers having continuous
oxygen supply facilities. For transporting brood fish, plastic bags can be used only if one or
two pairs are to be transported for a short duration, otherwise, bigger containers like water
tanker can be used.
Anesthetizing fish during transport
One of the major problems faced during long distance transportation is depletion of oxygen
and accumulation of metabolites inside the bag. As fishes are constantly in excited stage, the
rate of oxygen consumption and excretion of CO2 and other toxic wastes are higher during
transportation. If the fishes are anesthetized during transportation, these problems can be
minimized. Use of fish sedatives or anesthetics is now increasingly becoming popular for live
fish transportation especially for brooders.
Advantages of anesthetizing
1. Reduces over all stress or excitement of fish.
2. Decrease the rate of oxygen consumption and excretion of harm full metabolites.
3. Reduces the chances of physical injury
4. Reduces handling time
Some of the common anesthetics used in live fish transportation, specially brooders are
mentioned below:
MS 222 phenoxy ethanol
Quinaldine Novacine
Sodium asnytol Barbital Sodium
Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai has developed one anti-stress formulation
called CIFELOSTRESS for transportation of fish seed. Using this formulation much higher
stocking density per bag can be maintained for long duration transportation. Another

22
formulation developed in that Institute is CIFE CALM. After application of CIFE CALM fishes
are sedated and handling becomes easy. This formulation can be beneficial during injection of
brood fishes in fish breeding operation.
Precautions to be taken while transportation
1. Over stocking inside bags should be strictly avoided.
2. Oxygen level should be sufficient till it reaches its destinations.
3. Conditioning of fishes should optimum so that during transportation deterioration of
water quality parameter is minimum
4. It is better to use clear and well oxygenated water for packing.
5. After reaching the destination fishes should not be released immediately. Plastic bags
should be kept on the pond water for nearly about half an hour for getting temperature
adjustment.
6. If anesthetics are being used during transportation dosages has to be calculated properly.
In the hatchery itself standardization has to be done about dosages and time of recovery.

References
Jhingran V.G. and R.S.V. Pullin, 1985. A hatchery manual for common carp, Chinese carp and
Indian Major Carps. Asian Development Bank. International Centre for living Aquatic
Resources Management 74-78 pp.

23
 8 Composite Fish Farming in Andaman
Benny Varghese and Kamal Sarma
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair – 744 101

The freshwater aquaculture resources in India comprises 2.25 million hectares of ponds and
tanks, 1.3 m ha of beels and derelict waters, 2.09 m ha of lakes and reservoirs as also 0.12 m km
of irrigation canals and channels and 2.3 m ha of paddy fields. In comparison with the other
agricultural sector development, fisheries is the fastest. This is possible only because of the
development of the freshwater fish production. The techniques of fish cultivation involve
management of soil and water and husbandry of fish. In Andaman, the composite fish farming
is still in its infancy stage. Unavailability of quality fish seed and other inputs and lack of
knowledge of scientific method of faming are some of the problems hindering the pace of
development in fisheries. In this chapter a general outline of the production process of
composite fish farming has been illustrated.
Criteria for selection of species
1. Fast growing and disease resistant fishes are most preferred for culture purpose.
2. Species should have high consumer preference and good demand in the market.
3. Species should be non-predatory in nature and accept the supplementary/artificial feed.
4. Species should have different feeding habit and occupy different biological niches in a pond.
5. Species should respond to induced breeding
Composite fish culture
Rearing of group of cultivable fishes with different feeding habits, in order to obtain high
production per unit area of water body is called composite fish culture. In every trophic level
about 90% of the energy is lost. The fishes which are feeding on phytoplankton or zooplankton
can get maximum stored energy and therefore grow fast compared to the carnivorous fishes.
Also all fishes do not stay in the same strata and feed viz. Catla occupies the surface of the
pond, Rohu in the column and Mrigal in the bottom. Hence, if we culture these three species
together utilization of food and space will be optimum without competition. This is the principal
behind the concept of composite fish culture, which involves judicious exploitation of all the
niches available in the pond as well as utilizing the whole strata of the pond.
The freshwater fish culture involves four important management practices.
1. Site selection
2. Pre stocking pond management
3. Stocking management
4. Post stocking pond management
1. Selection of the site for stocking pond /tank
Fish pond site should be selected in an area which has easy accessibility as well as availability
of water source. In Andaman as salinity increases in many places, especially in the summer
season, care should be taken before selecting a particular site.

24
The normal requirements of a fish farm sites are as below.
2. Pre-stocking management
Particulars Requirements of a normal fish farm sites
Nature of terrain Non rocky with 2 meter deep soil
Slope of terrain Land should be level or gently sloping
Physical quality of soil Loamy or clay loamy. Soil fraction is about 90% of the
whole soil, stone and gravel Not exceeding 10%.
Chemical quality of soil pH should be near neutral - 6.5 to 7.5
Total nitrogen contents of soil - 30-50 mg/ 100 gm soil
Total phosphorous contents - 6.0- 16 mg/ 100 gm soil
Organic carbon - 1.0- 2.0 %
Rate of fall in water level Should not be less than 1 meter per annum in ponds
Water table Should not be below the pond bottom if soil is porous
Water supply There should be a source of perennial water supply nearby.
Biological productivity Average plankton production per m3 should be 10-20 ml.

Embankment of pond (Checking)

For previously constructed pond, the checking of embankment of the grow-out pond is
necessary. The inlet and outlet should be properly guarded such that, no fish from the stocking
tank can go out as well no predatory and weed fishes can enter into the pond. Weed should be
controlled in composite fish culture as it causes disturbance in dissolved oxygen (DO) budget.
They also create reduction of nutrients available in the ponds, shelter predatory and weed
fishes and obstacle in free movement of fishes. The weeds of different groups i.e. floating,
marginal, submerged emergent and algal blooms can be controlled using various management
procedures.
Eradication of unwanted fishes
The fishes, which can cause harm to culture fishes, are not advised in culture system. The
unwanted fishes are of two types a) predatory fishes b) weed fishes. Predatory fishes prey on
the fingerlings of cultivable species in the fish culture and while the weed fishes compete for
food and DO with the cultivable species. So they can hamper the growth of cultivable species
and thereby production. These fishes can be removed either by repeated netting (not very
affective) or by applying piscicide. Mahua oil cake @ 2500kg/ha is quite effective in removing
unwanted fishes.
Liming of the pond
Liming of pond is done about 15 -20 days before stocking of fishes. Liming will enhance
mineralization of the organic matter and also increase the effect of organic and inorganic
fertilizers. About 400 kg/ ha of lime should be applied. First dose of 100 kg is applied initially
and rest amount is divided into 10-11 equal installments and applied every month in the
pond. Lime has to be soaked with water overnight and next day morning cool lime should be
applied in the pond.

25
Fertilization of ponds
Organic and inorganic fertilizers are applied in order to increase plankton production which
is the main food for the fishes. Organic fertilizers (manures) are applied one week after
application of lime and inorganic fertilizer after one week application of organic manure. The
application of lime, organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer should be repeated in the same
fashion every month. On appearance of algal bloom in ponds during dry season, fertilizer
application should be suspended.
3. Stocking Management
For attaining high fish production in stocking ponds, species combinations and rate of stocking
need to be maintained properly. The pond carrying capacity depends on pond fertility,
availability of natural food, D.O in water, fish biomass and feeding. When the carrying capacity
of the pond is approaching to 100 kg, the growth will be reduced. The carrying capacity can be
manipulated by providing balanced diet, good environment, aeration, species combination,
etc. An increase in the carrying capacity of a pond is obtained by culturing different species of
fish with complementary feeding habits. This is due to utilization of the existing fish food. The
depth of pond also influences the carrying capacity. A relatively deeper pond will support
more fish than a shallow one as the former has more living space. From the viewpoint of fish
culture, in the stocking pond smaller size fishes are stocked at a rate well below the carrying
capacity and allow the fish to grow up to reach near the carrying capacity in the shortest time.
The other important factors for deciding the stocking rate are the marketable fish size decided
by public demand and the length of the growing period.
As the determination of the carrying capacity is a tedious exercise, a rough estimate can be
made by adopting the following formula (species stocking ratio).

Total expected increase in Wt + Mortality 10%

No. of Fishes per unit area =
Expected increase of weight of Individual fish

There are three combinations of composite fish culture

a) Six species mix culture
b) Four species mix culture
c) Three species mix culture
Combinations Niches Stocking ratio (%) Name of fish/Remarks
Six species culture Surface feeder 30-40 Catla, silver carp
Column feeder 15-20 Rohu
*Bottom feeder 40-45 Mrigal,Common carp
Vegetation feeder 5-15 Grass carp
Four species culture Surface 30-40 Catla
Column 20-30 Rohu
*Bottom 15-20 Mrigal
Vegetation 20-25 Grass carp
Three species surface 40 Catla
Column 30 Rohu
*Bottom 30 Mrigal

26
 y Freshwater prawn can be stocked in place of bottom feeding carps for higher economic
returns. If air breathing fishes like Magur and singhi are stocked, then catla and rohu
should be stocked at a fingerling stage (more than 100mm in size)
Stocking
In composite fish culture the fishes are stocked at 5000 -6000 numbers per ha of pond. Water
temperature ranging from 25-300 C is conducive for fish growth. However, during releasing
seed, care should be taken that sudden change of temperature is not taken place, which may
cause mortality of the young ones. The temperature of the water in which fish seed is transported
or packed is to be equalized with that of the pond water. The fish seeds should be allowed to
swim themselves from the transported water to the pond water gradually.
Feeding of fish
Feeding should be followed after the stocking of fish seeds. Supplementary feeding at the
ratio of 1:1 should be prepared by Rice Bran and oilcake (Mustard oil cake or Ground nut oil
cake) and if possible vitamin-mineral mixture can be added. Feeds are supplied in the pond in
powdered form at the beginning and then in a dough form after 2 months of stocking. The
feed should contain 25-30% protein , 30-40% carbohydrate with dietary energy at 3.5 -4.0
Kcal/g of feed and should be given at the rate 2-3% of the body weight.
Method of feeding
Feed may be broadcast during first two months of stocking, there after a feeding basket /
tray/bag should be used in two fixed positions of the pond. Feeding has to be applied in a
fixed time of the day and quantity has to be adjusted as per the body weight of the fish (2-3%).
The biomass of the fish in a pond can be determined periodically by sampling.
Feeding of grass carp
Aquatic weeds such as hydrilla, Najas, etc or chopped green cattle fodders such as Napier
grass, Maize leaves etc, are provided to the grass carps.
Harvesting
Fish attains table size (750g to 1 kg) within one year of rearing period. Final harvest is done by
drag net either during summer months when the water level drops or during monsoon
depending on the demand of the market. As per the estimate, 3.5-4 ton production can be
obtained from one ha pond following the standard procedure as mentioned above. It is seen
that in a fish culture practice percentage return is around 50-60 of the variable cost. However,
slight variation may be there based on the local condition.
Precautions to be taken during production process
y Over stocking and over feed should be avoided
y Quantity of feed given to the fishes should be adjusted based on the growth of fishes.
y If pond develops algal film on the surface and/or if cloudy days persist for few days
feeding and fertilizer application should be temporarily stopped.
y Feeding and fertilization should be stopped when there is a drop in DO.
y If pesticide is been applied in nearby agricultural area, care should be taken to ensure
that the runoff does not enter the ponds.

27
 9 Integrated Fish farming in Andaman
N. C. Choudhuri, S. Dam Roy, Kamal Sarma and A. K. Singh
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CARI, Port Blair

Basic principle of integrated farming lies in the productive utilization of the farm waste. Multi
commodity integrated farming system involves fish culture along with livestock raising and/
or crop farming in order to maximize per unit production through recycling of waste generated,
optimum utilization of resources and manpower and giving maximum return to the farmers.
Integrated fish farming is very suitable for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Many farmers
have constructed fish ponds mostly for irrigation purpose but use for fish culture also. By
practicing integrated aquaculture apart from fishes, the farmers may get revenue from other
allied crops too.
Integration with Horticulture
In pond embankment different horticulture crops like coconut, arecanut can be planted with
suitable intercropping to fetch more benefit from the small area. Vegetables of cucurbits family
can also be grown around the pond embankment. It will give two way benefits by giving
vegetables as well as partial shade during summer season when the water temperature will
be very high. Fodder grasses can be planted on both the sides of the pond embankment which
will not only give fodder to the animals but also will assist in soil erosion.
Integration with duck
Fish cum duck integration is based on the mutually beneficial biological relationship between
fish and duck. Duck raising in fish ponds is an ancient practice in Asian countries. In fish
ponds, there are many aquatic animals and plants, most of which are natural food organisms
of fish, some are detrimental to fish but can be utilized by ducks. Ducks consume tadpoles,
snails, insects dragonfly and their larvae, thus assist in eradicating many predators of fish fry
creating an excellent, essentially disease free environment. Movement of ducks also provides
oxygen into the water. Furthermore, the protein content of these natural food organisms of
duck is high. Therefore, duck raising in fish ponds reduces the demand for protein in duck
feeds. Duck house are constructed either on the pond or on the embankment so that duck
dropping can go directly into the pond. In duck cum fish farming no additional feed is required
and duck dropping is highly nutritious for fish. Raising ducks on fish ponds promotes fish
growth, increases fish yield and eliminates pollution problems that might be caused by excreta
in a duck shed. Stocking rate of ducks is generally 200-300 ducks/ha. Ducks can swallow
smaller size fishes and hence, in the initial two months ducks should not be released into the
grow out ponds.
Integrated management of fish cum duck farming can be further developed to achieve
even higher economic efficiencies. High yielding aquatic plants can be cultivated and wastes
from integrated fish farming can be used to raise earthworms, an additional feed for ducks.
Through this type of integration about 3000kg/ha production can be achieved along with
duck meat and eggs.

28
Integration with Poultry bird
Integrated poultry cum fish farming is also a profitable venture. The rearing of poultry birds
by constructing poultry housing units on the pond embankments or above the pond is the
ideal practice. The houses are made in such a way that waste and washings of house can be
put in the fish pond easily. In this integrated systems fishes feed on poultry wastes and the
spilled over feeds. Supplementary fertilization and feeding are not required in this integration.
Poultry dropping is highly nutritious as it contains more of phosphorous that facilitates higher
phytoplankton growth. The average fish production in this integration is very high.
Nicobari fowl is quite suitable for this island as it is adaptive to hot and humid climate, eat
less than other bird, resist to common poultry diseases and improved bird lays upto 140 to 150
eggs per year under less management practice. Weight of a normal female bird may be 1.3 to
1.6 kg and a male bird may be 1.8 to 2.0 kg. Shed may be constructed with the use of locally
available materials i.e., jungle ballies, unproductive arecanut plant, jungle patty, etc. Cross
ventilation may be provided for preventing suffocation. The side wall should be 2’ high and
remaining portion may be covered with bamboo/wire net. In low lying area the raised platform
type shed is suitable to prevent seepage of water. Water may be provided inside the house for
drinking purpose. For night shelter 2 sq. ft. area will be sufficient for one bird.
In semi intensive system the birds are grazing outside and some of the requirement they can
manage themselves form outside but otherwise also 30-40 gm of feed per birds may be provided
to them. Feed can be broken rice, wheat, pulses, excess cooked food, kitchen waste, leafy
vegetables, snails, coconut waste etc. In rainy season sometimes bird cannot move outside
due to heavy rain and they require feed materials which may be provided by the farmers.
Rotten feed should not be given to the birds.
In poultry farming disease outbreak can create mass mortality of the birds. Hence continuous
monitoring has to be done. General symptom of sick bird is that they will not consume feed
and water and will be sitting in a corner. If any disease symptom is observed the following
points may be remembered to check the mortality:
• Keep the diseased bird separately and consult with the veterinary doctor.
• Administer the medicine in proper time and dose.
• Give vaccine regularly.
Disease may also due to dog, cat, eagle and reptiles bites. Hence birds should not be left out.
Deworming schedule has to be followed once in a month and to remove ectoparasites, the
birds should be dipped in 0.2% malathion solution. Shed should be regularly cleaned. For any
disease outbreak in the village preventive medication has to be applied in consultation with
veterinary doctor. White diarrohea, red diarrohea, swollen eyes, restlessness, low feed intake,
paralysis in legs and wings, sudden mortality are some of the additional symptoms of diseases.
Nicorock bird are most suitable as they grow faster and lay sufficient number of eggs per year
and also resistant to many poultry diseases. About two months old grower bird is suitable for
integration and they are maintained in 2 sq. ft area per bird area. Usually birds attain maturity
within 3 months in semi intensive rearing. About 25- 30 birds can produce one ton of fertilizer
per year. Therefore, about 500-600 poultry birds will be sufficient for one hectare of fish culture
pond. The poultry litter are collected, dried and stored in gunny bags. Approximately 50 kg/

29
ha per day of deep litter manure is applied everyday in the morning hours in a fish culture
pond. If heavy algal blooms are formed, application of litter has to be deferred temporarily.
In this integration, 4000 kg fish production per ha can be achieved in addition to fish eggs
and/or meat.
Integration with pig
Among various components of integration, pig cum fish farming is one of the best combination
and very popular among the tribal communities of North Eastern India. The pig sty can be
constructed near the pond embankments in such a way that the waste and washings of house
are put into the fish pond with out much difficulties. The pig sty can be constructed with the
locally available materials. The space required is 15 sq feet per animal.
Pig is a voracious feeder. An adult pig voided about 3 kg of raw dung and more than 60% of
the dung contains undigested matters. In integrated system, pig dung and the feed spilled by
the pigs are used as feed and fertilizer for the pond. Supplementary fertilization and feeding
for fishes are not required in this type of integration. Growth of pig depends on many factors
including the breed of pigs. The exotic varieties of pigs are most suitable over local varieties.
Growth of most of the local varieties of pigs is slow but they are very resistant to disease.
About two months old weaned piglets are kept for maintaining in the pig house. Usually such
pigs attain slaughter maturity (60-70 kg) within six months through intensive rearing. Two
batches of piglets can be raised along with fishes in one year. It is found that 35 – 40 pigs are
sufficient for maintaining 1ha of fish pond. The pigs are fed on pig concentrate @ 1kg per pig/
day. The feed contains maize, rice bran, oil cake, fish meal, mineral mixture and necessary
vitamins. Local feed like grasses and colocasia, etc., can also be provided to pigs for economical
production. After attaining marketable size pigs and fishes should be marketed. Pigs are hardy
animals but they may be infested with parasites. Hygienic condition should be maintained to
prevent the parasitic infection. Pig sty should be washed daily in the morning to drain out
whole excreta into the fish ponds. Through this type of integration the average fish production
of 3500 of fish per ha per year can be achieved along with about 4000kg of pig meat.

30
 10 Culture and Breeding of Air Breathing Fishes
C.S. Chaturvedi
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

Culture of air breathing fishes like Clarias batrachus and Heteropneustes fossilis, etc., occupy the
second position next to carp in India. Aquaculture in India has been given the status of an
“industry”. The candidate species for aquaculture included carps, cat fishes and prawns. It is
suggested that emerging areas like Cat fish breeding culture aspects should be given more
emphasis for diversification of culture practices. In different parts of the world, cat fish culture
has been a traditional practice in some of the South east and South Asia.
An All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on the culture of Air-breathing fishes was
launched in May 1971, with the objective of developing appropriate technology for the culture
of Air breathing fishes in swamps, ponds, tanks, cages and pens for harvesting the natural
resources.
Cat fishes have high market value and good demand. Among the cat fishes, Indian magur
Clarias batrachus has good prospects. The species is well known for its high price, great demand
better taste, good meat quality such as flavor, high keeping quality, less spines, higher protein
and hemoglobin percentage and mineral contents, low fat content and therapeutic value. Like
other fishes C. batracius has an accessory respiratory organ and can live out of water for long
periods. These air breathing fishes are hardy in nature and can remain alive out of water for
longer time. The species is well adapted to the adverse ecological conditions and inhabit in
swampy, marshy and derelict waters.
These fishes can be grown in the following places.
• Manageable derelict swampy ponds.
• Carp nursery ponds after rearing operation is over
• Intensive culture in ponds
• Cages in swamps
• Marginal areas of breeds by providing embankments.
• In sewage fed ponds
• With paddy or other cash crops like ‘Makhana’.
Culture Systems
In our country there is no proper culture system existing for air-breathing fish species, but
based on their habits some systems have been evolved and are defined as under.
A. Extensive culture
Extensive fish culture is the least managed fish farming. The total yield in extensive fish culture
is purely based on the natural pond productivity. Systematic culture of singhi, magur and

31
murrels under extensive system is never practiced. However, in paddy these species breed,
spawn and grow on their own, where feed and fertilizers are not used.
B. Intensive culture system
Under intensive culture system high production rate of magur has been reported from Thailand
which is as high as 100 t/ha/yr. In India attempts have been made for intensive culture of
magur in cages, cisterns and ponds. However, it is common in Europe, Japan and Thailand. In
intensive fish culture all attempt is made to achieve maximum production of fish from a
minimum area of water body. It is best managed form of the fish farming. In which maximum
care of fishes are taken that is high stocking, high feeding and fertilizer are used to obtain high
fish production. In this system investment is also high. This type of culture is not practiced in
our country.
C. Semi- Intensive system
Studies on the magur culture in some of the states of our country have been carried out with
poor production rate. However, a production rate of 3.8 t/ha/yr has been achieved by CIFA
with proper management practices. The management practices comprise regular check on
water quality and supplementary feeding. As per the information of Catfish nutrition, a large
variety of feed mixtures have been used in mono and poly culture of air-breathing fishes
specially singhi and magur. The production figure was better in poly culture with other species
then monoculture unless adequate magur seed is produced and proper diet developed.
Culture Results
Efforts were made under All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICP) to develop techniques
for air breathing fish culture. The culture results were encouraging in different agroclimatic
condition. In Karnataka gross production of murrel @ 895-2600 kg/ha/yr was obtained with
a stocking density of 50,000 /ha. Of fingerlings of 0.6 to 10 gm. No supplementary feed &
fertilizer was applied to the culture system.
In another pond the production of Channa morulies was 3159 kg/ha/8 month at 10,000
fingerlings /ha. The fishes were fed with dried marine trash fish . In other experiment,
polyculture of singhi, koi & magur stocked at 25,000 / ha gave a production of 12000 kg/ha/
7 months without the use of supplementary feed & fertilizers. While in Bihar when singhi &
koi were stocked together a production of 524 kg/ha/8 months was obtained even though no
feed was given.
Culture Practices
Stockin
No Species Duration Production Culture Remarks
g
Magur/ 20,000- Poor growth No feeding
1 6 month Extension
Singhi 25,000 and survival fertilize.
With proper water
Magur/ 30,000- 8-10 Semi- management +
2 3.8 t/ha/y
Singhi 50,000 month intensive supplementary
feeding

32
 Thailand:
• High manuring.
100t/ha/y • High stocking
Magur/ 50,000- 10-12m
3 high Intensive • High production.
Singhi 60,000 months
production • High cost of
aeration feeds
etc.
Mono- Semi-intensive
4(a) Magur 50,000 6 month 5-10 t/ha/y
culture system.
Magur/ 30,000- General
4(b) 8 month 4-5 t/ha/y Dehadrai (NKT)
Singhi 50,000 production
Magur+
Carp 20,000- 1200
4(c) 7 month ----- Dehadrai
Singhi 25,000 kg/ha/y
/IMC
A.I.C.
C.R.P. on No
900-2,600
5. air- 50,000 12 month suppleme Kernataka
kg/ha/y
breathin -ntary feed
g fishes.
Magur in
makhana 20,000- 300-4000
6. 4-6 ---- Common in Bihar.
(Bihar) 25,000 kg/ha/yr.
pond 2

Breeding of Indian Magur

Clarias batrachus is commonly known as Indian Magur The species is highly priced, delicious,
nutritious and preferred throughout the country. The “Magur” is famous for its taste flavour
and medicinal value C. batrachus is an air breathing fish species and comes under vulnerable
group. It is an important food fish and sold in market in live condition. It breeds once in a year
in stagnant waters especially in derelict and swampy water. Secondary sexual characters are
more prominent during the breeding season (June-July).
Magur attains maturity in the second year when they reach 150 – 200 gm in weight. Male has
an elongated and slender body and genital papilla is elongated, pointed or conical in shape. In
mature female the genital papilla is short oval, slit like or round in shape. They are carnivores
and insectivorous in feeding.
Brood Stock Management
• The success of breeding depends up on the good brooder condition.
• Maintenance of healthy brood fish is essential. Brooders are selected sex wise and kept
in separate pond.
• Male and female breeders are carefully selected.
• Average weight 150-200 gm is good for breeding.

33
 • Brooder pond should be 0.2 to 0.5 ha. Area & depth of water is 3-4 feet.
• The condition of the brooders are examined periodically.
• Feed- fish meal, prawn powder, soybean meal, rice brawn and oilcake (1:1) is given
along with vitamin and minerals.
• For good growth proper feeding, 30% protein label should be maintained at the rate of
10% of the body weight are feed in two split doses.
• The abdomen of the gravid female is bulging and round with button shaped genital
papilla.
• In the month of Feb – March brood fishes are collected and stocked in specially prepared
cemented tanks (10 x 5 x 1 m) or earthen pond 0.04 ha.
• In cemented tanks a black soil base of 3-4" thickness is provided and manuring is done
as carp nursery technique.
• To facilitate continuous flow of water (15-20 l/min.) an inlet at the top of the tanks and
out let at a desired level (0.5 m from below) are provided.
• Brooders pond / tanks should be covered with net.
Induced Breeding
• Seed of C. batrachus is produced through induced breeding.
• The brooders selected for breeding should be of medium size 150- 300 gm.
• Female with oozing eggs with a little pressure on the abdomen are preferred.
• Carp pituitary extract @ 30- 55 mg / kg or ovaprim @ 0.5 – 0.8 ml / kg is given to female
in single injection.
• There is no need to inject the hormone to the male.
• While the males are cut open, testes are removed and macerated in 0.9% salt solution to
keep them dormant for 24 hours. The milt preserved in sodium chloride solutions is
then added to the eggs for fertilization.
• The females are stripped for spawning after a latency period of 10-15 h.
• Brown shinning coloured eggs are collected through stripping.
• Fecundity of magur is low, about (10g) i.e. 500-7000 eggs can be expected from good
female.
• Eggs are small in size, demersal and semi adhesive in nature.
• Eggs are fertilized artificially with milt (sperm) suspension with the help of dropper
squils.
• The fertilized eggs are washed 2-3 times with water
• Eggs from each sets are kept separately in hatching tubs.
• The spawn of magur length measures about 5-5 mm in total length.
• Air breathing organs develop on 12th day of rearing.

34
Hatching Unit
• Magur hatching is based on water flow through system.
• Water supply is provided with an over head tank (capacity 10,000) through a G.I. pipe
1" dia to ½” pipe to all the hatching tubs.
• All hatching tubs are placed on cemented hatching platform.
• Hatching consist of smaller size plastic circular, flat bottom tubs of 12 cm diameter and
height 3 cm.
• Each hatchery tub is having a provision of an out let with 2cm dia and is at a height of
about 6"
• Fine mesh net is placed on the out let of hatching tubs
• Fertilized eggs are uniformly distributed in single layer in each tub.
• For hatching of eggs feeble water current is maintained to remove the metabolites.
• The ideal temperature for hatching is 25-30oC
• Hatching takes place within 26-30 h and hatchings accumulate at one side of the tub
• Magur hatchings are heavy, they can not move from one place to others due to presence
of heavy yolk sac measuring about 5 mm in length.
• Yolk sack absorption take place on the 4th day and larvae start feeding on 5th day.
• For feeding of fry plankton and egg custard are given morning and evening.
• Rear the early fry in circular cemented tanks up to 12th day.
Rearing of Magur larvae
• Newly hatched magur larvae are very tender in nature.
• There larvae are reared in indoor circular tanks up to 12th days.
• During rearing period 6" water depth and proper aeration is maintained.
• The larvae were feed with plankton, egg custared or Artemia nauplli.
• The stocking density of larvae in cemented tanks (1 x 1 m) is 2000 – 3000 no / m2 is
better for indoor system.
• Everyday after feeding water exchange up to 70% is maintained for better survival.
• Magur larvae grow to 15-20 mm size in 15 days of rearing.
• At this stage air breathing organs will be developed for proper respiration.
• After 15 days of rearing of larvae (fry), they are transferred to other cemented/ F.G.T
for fingerlings stage.
• These fry are reared in specially prepared soil-based tanks for fingerlings production.
• The fry grows to a size of 35-40 mm during 25 days of gearing.

35
 11 Scope of culture of Giant Freshwater prawn
Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Andaman
S. Dam Roy, P. Krishnan, S.N.Sethi, Kamal Sarma and Benny Varghese
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

The giant freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii is one of the most preferred species for culture in
freshwater. Several techniques were reported from different regions for the breeding and larval
rearing of this species but there exists some variations in hatchery management practices from
place to place. Hatchery seed production practices has been standardized under island
conditions. Various culture experiments have been conducted during past several years and
the result has been summarized in the present paper.
Much emphasis has been laid for harnessing the freshwater resources of the Andaman and
Nicobar islands through aquaculture, mostly carp culture. The giant fresh water prawn,
Macrobrachium rosenbergii is also being used for culture in freshwater ponds either as
monoculture or in polyculture and success has been achieved through development of
techniques with respect to various management measures, diet formulation and disease
protection. The major problems for the culture of giant freshwater prawn in Andaman are the
uncertainly of the performance of the species in the rain-fed ponds characterized by low pH of
both soil and water.
The freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii has been cultured for the first time in A&N Islands along
with carp fingerlings, under semi-improved culture technique with supply of traditional feed
only. Macrobrachium rosenbergii was cultured along with carps in poly culture trials conducted
during 1995 and 1996 in the freshwater ponds in Andaman. The trials resulted in prawn
production of 257 kg/ha in 185 days and 198 kg/ha in 224 days with 15% and 76.4% survival
respectively. The prawns reached the weight range of 40-120g in first trial and 50-150g in the
second trial. Higher survival and growth during second trial was attributed to the low stocking
density, better management of water quality in the pond and feed and feeding. The result
indicated that in island conditions, polyculture of M. rosenbergii with carps would be a
prospective venture in the pond with low water pH for the overall improvement of aquaculture
production.
Similar culture experiments conducted elsewhere gave varying production rate of 80kg/ha/
year in poly culture; 411kg/ha/180 days with stocking density of 11,500/ha and 136kg/ha to
334 kg/ha/180 days for M. rosenbergii with stocking density of 9,000-30,000/ha under mono
culture conditions (Shirgur et,al,1991). Reports on poly culture of M. rosenbergii with Indian
and Chinese carps resulted in a production of 428kg/ha of prawns along with 5821kg/ha of
fishes, indicated a good economic returns (Hoque and Islam 1996). Semi -intensive freshwater
prawns in concrete tanks using artificial habitats, to increase surface area, aeration etc., with
stocking density of 83 and 32 post harvest/m2 gave production rates equivalent to 3800-
4700kg/ha/yr (Sandifer et al., 1982).
During 1995, a total of 400 pawn seeds (M. rosenbergii) were stocked in the (0.02ha) pond along
with fry of grass carp, Chinese carp and bighead carp. The prawns stocked at an average

36
length of 30.5mm attained a weight range of 40g to 120g (average wt: 85.8g) in 180 days with
a survival of 15% of the initial stock. Production in the first experiment was 257.5kg/ha in 6
months. In the same period the grass carp stocked at the average size of 45mm attained 168mm
and 120g and the big head carp fry stocked at an average length of 60mm reached 259mm and
223g. The pH of water remained in acidic range (5.8-6.2). The pond was having submerged
aquatic vegetation which provided shelter for the prawns. Polyculture trials conducted in
water of low pH happened to be the characteristic of fresh water ponds of Andaman’s. The
improvement in the water quality was obtained through regular liming, phased application
of manure and the rate of survival increased because of supply of feed for prawns in trays and
for carp seed through broadcasting on pond surface. An increase in rate of survival leading to
a relatively high production was observed with low stocking density. Thus prawn culture
may have to be recommended in low densities only.
The above prawn culture experiments in freshwater ponds have provided ample information
on the performance of M. rosenbergii in the rainfed and acidic ponds in Andaman. The growth
rates of prawns as obtained in Andaman - a total length of 30-197mm (0.92mm/day) and
weight of 50-150g (0.32gm/day) was higher than that observed in mainland (avg. wt. 21.8g/
29.7g). Considering the limited freshwater resources and the relatively less water holding
period of the ponds in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, culture of giant freshwater prawn would
improve overall economic returns.
The rearing of prawn larvae to juvenile under controlled conditions were unsuccessful until
the breakthrough made in 1961 at the Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Penang, Malaysia,
where it was discovered that a certain amount of salinity was an important basic requirement
for Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae to survive and develop through their early life stages.
News of success spread world-wide and interest in freshwater prawn was generated. In
Andaman, CARI has demonstrated the seed production of freshwater prawns in a backyard
hatchery. However, it is still long way before its adoption in commercial scale. A brief account
on the essentials of breeding and rearing of the freshwater prawn is given in the following
sections.
Site selection
Selection of suitable site is one of the most important factors for success of any prawn hatchery
complex.
a) Adequate supply of fresh water free from pollutants
b) Adequate supply of saltwater, so that the brackishwater of required salinity can be
prepared.
c) Easy availability of spawners
d) Proper infrastructure facility.
Hatchery design and construction
The success of a prawn hatchery mainly depends on the appropriate design and establishment
of hatchery.

37
Seawater storage and mixing unit: The necessary brackishwater is pumped from sea into hatchery
and diluted as per the requirement
Brood stock development tank: The brood stock development tank is generally round or rectangular
in shape made of RCC.
Larval rearing tank : The number and size of the tank depends upon the capacity of the hatchery.
Generally RCC tank with dark blue epoxy resin paint is very necessary inside the tank.
For proper drainage PVC pipe is attached with slope 1:3 maintained towards the pipe
outlet.
Artemia Hatching Tank
These are cylindro-conical tanks having a bottom draining facility and slope towards the center.
These tanks are mounted over a suitable stand.
Post Larval Rearing Tank
The capacity of PL tanks varies widely based on the scale of operation. The inner surface is
coated with good quality epoxy resin or fiber. The tanks are rectangular with flat or U shape
bottom. The packing unit is set in an open shed.
Major equipments for a giant freshwater prawn hatchery includes 2 oil-free root type blowers
with PVC aeration grid, aeration tubes, air-diffusion stones, air-regulators and different types
of PVC joints, electric water pumps for seawater pumping and freshwater pumping and a 5
KVA generator set.
Transportation of brooder
Brooders are collected from the wild or ponds maintained as brooder pond. For keeping the
brooder healthy and eggs are intact handling should be minimum.
Larval rearing Techniques
Gravid mother prawn with dark eggs is released into spawning tank with 10-14 ppt water
where they spawn for four days. After spawning, mother prawns are separated and larvae are
placed into larval rearing tank. The larvae pass through different zoeal stages through
metamorphosis and after 27 -32 days they turn into post larvae.
Feeding of Larvae
The feeding of larvae is done 4-5 times a day. The feeding starts on the second day with
artemia nauplii and continues up to 10th days, after which prepared food like egg custard
consisting of mussel flesh/goat liver, hen egg, milk powder and vitamin mineral mix are
provided. The ingredients are blended in a mixer grinder, coagulated by gentle cooking and
passed through superimposed standard test sieves of appropriate mesh size (200 micron for
stage iv, 400 micron for stage v to viii and 600 micron for stage ix to xi).
It is evident that feed should be used in ration as underfeeding leads to starvation, cannibalism
and slow growth and over feeding causes pollution. It is advisable to clean the bottom of the
tank daily in the evening by siphoning out the uneaten food particles and other waste. Water
is to be exchanged to the extent possible with fresh and clean water with the same salinity
available in the tank.

38
Water quality management
Success of a hatchery seed production of prawn largely depends on the water quality
management. For maintaining the optimum oxygen level, aeration is carried out almost
continuously. Sometimes temperature goes down below 24oC, when thermostat heaters are
used in the larval rearing tank to maintain the desired water temperature. pH is another
important parameter which needs to be maintained by using suitable chemicals.
Aeration
Aeration helps to maintain sufficient oxygen for respiration as well as for keeping the food
particles in suspension. Air passes through water and drives away the foul gases such as
ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, etc formed as metabolic wastes from water.
Post larval rearing
When most of the larvae have settled, the salinity should be gradually lowered to 0 ppt over a
period of days by when, the remaining larvae also settle. It will be helpful if artificial substrata
in the form of seasoned twigs, stiff PVC sash, etc are provided for early settlement of larvae.
Prepared feed is provided for the post larvae 3-4 times daily.
Seed Packing and transportation
Polythene bags of 15-20 l capacity are used for packing of prawn seed. The corners of plastic
bags are rounded off with the help of rubber bands so as to prevent the prawn seed from
getting trapped. For filling the plastic bags, the water from the post larval tanks is used to
prevent moulting of PL during transportation and subsequent losses due to cannibalism. In
order to provide shelter to post larvae, a few 10 mm plastic straw or nylon threads should be
placed in the bags. For long transportation artemia nauplii, 75 -120 nauplii/liter is put in the
bag. After placing the post-larvae, the air present in the bag is removed by folding it and
remaining 2/3 of the bag is filled with oxygen by inserting the oxygen supply pipe from oxygen
cylinder. The bag is then sealed tightly with rubber band.
Rearing of freshwater prawn
The prawn juveniles (PL) of uniform size group are stocked at the rate of 40,000 to 50,000/ha.
Before releasing into the pond, the post larvae should be acclimatized gradually to the
temperature and pH of the pond water. The temperature should be adjusted by floating the
transport bags in the pond for 15 min before releasing into the pond. Stocking should be done
in early morning or late evening when the temperature is low to avoid stress. The prawn are
fed daily with formulated pellet diet (2-3 mm size) at 10% of the biomass initially and then
reduced to 3% of the biomass towards the end of the culture period. Check trays may be kept
in different corners of the pond to check the consumption of food. During the course of culture,
the water quality needs to be maintained at optimum levels of good growth by routine
monitoring of important water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, transparency
and dissolved oxygen content. Pond depth should be preferably maintained at four feet. Regular
partial harvesting of bigger size prawn using a large mesh cast net from the fourth month of
culture will increase the yield and improve the growth of smaller prawns. Major problem that
may arise during culture are mortality of the stock due to low dissolved oxygen in the pond
water. Heavy plankton bloom, very low water level and lack of water exchange leads to low
dissolved oxygen level. Development of bottom algae due to high transparency of water is

39
another problem during monoculture of prawns. To avoid this problem the transparency of
the pond should be maintained at 30-40cm by frequent fertilization. After 8 months culture
period, pond may be harvested by complete draining and then the harvest is size-graded and
sold in the market.
Summary results of the Polyculture trials conducted by CARI in Andaman.

Particulars Pond No. 1 Pond No. 2

M. rosenbergii,
M. rosenbergii,C. Mirgala, Back
Species stocked Beighead carps,
cross catla
Grass carp
Date of stocking 08.9.95 14.8.96
Stocking density (Nos/ha)
20000 3525 nos/ha
Prawn
Mrigal - 27500 nos/ha
Catla Back cross - 2500 nos/ha
Grass carp and Big head carps 12500 -
No. of prawn seed stocked 400 141
Size at stocking (Av.length mm) 30.5 59.2
No. of carp seed stocked 250 1200
Date of harvest 8.03.96 25.03.97
Size of prawns at harvest Av.
197.6 (156-215) 190.3 (172-245)
Length (mm)*
Carapace length (mm)* 106.0 (80-185) 98.9 (88-133)
Av. Weight (g) 85.8 (40-120) 73.7 (50-150)
Survival (%) 15 76.4
Production (kg/ha) 257.4 198.4
Rearing period (days) 180 224

* Figures in parenthesis indicates range.

40
 12 Water Quality Management in a Freshwater Pond
Kamal Sarma, S. Dam Roy and P. Krishnan
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

Water quality management is one of the most important parameters for success of a fish farm.
A well managed farm having good aquatic environment ensures high rate of survival and
growth of fishes. In a farm, fishes are forced to live in a relatively smaller body in large numbers;
any adverse water quality condition will quickly and significantly irritate and stress the fishes.
Thus growth rate of fishes reduces and fishes become vulnerable to disease. In adverse situation,
poor water quality may even become detrimental to them.
Some of the important water quality parameters have been discussed in this chapter.
1. Salinity
The salinity normally is referred to as the total quantity of dissolve salts and expressed as ppt
of water. Salinity of freshwater ponds is generally from 0.00- 0.50 ppt. Body fluids concentration
of fresh water fishes are higher than freshwater and because of osmotic difference, water is
diffusing into fish body. To maintain homeostasis fish has to remove the excess water in the
form of diluted urine. In Andaman many freshwater ponds having been constructed in nearby
shore area and develop seepage problem. Slight salinity is tolerable even by freshwater fishes
but beyond certain limit problem will start and even fishes may die due to salt stress. Before
construction of pond salinity of soil and water of that area has be tested.
2. Dissolved oxygen
It is the most important water quality parameter for the success of a freshwater aquaculture.
Atmospheric air contains 21% oxygen but dissolution capacity of oxygen in water is very
limited. Dissolved oxygen enters into the pond either through diffusion from atmosphere or
through photosynthetic process. Also dissolution capacity of oxygen is temperature dependent
and it decreases as temperature increases. Demand of dissolved oxygen in a fresh water pond
is increased due to respiration by the plants and animals, decomposition of organic matters,
etc. Dissolved oxygen concentration less than 1 ppm is normally lethal, if exposure persists for
more than few hours. Fishes will survive with DO ranging between 1 and 5 ppm, but there
may be sublethal effects with poor growth, reduced reproduction, etc. When DO is 5ppm and
above, it is ideal for growth and survival. It is therefore essential to maintain high dissolved
oxygen level (> 5 ppm) in a pond.
During day time, the DO concentration increases, and reaches peak in the afternoon. While
during the night, utilization continues and DO concentration reaches minimum at dawn. The
magnitude of this dial fluctuation of DO is small when phytoplankton density is low and
increases as phytoplankton density increases. Hence, early morning DO level is often reached
below 2 ppm in ponds with dense plankton bloom. Hence, regular DO concentration in water
should be monitored specially in the early morning hours before sun rise. Cloudy days have
deep impact on DO concentration. If cloudy days persist for few days DO concentration
gradually decreases and may reach to critical level so that the concentration may be detrimental
for the fishes. Sudden die off of phytoplankton and its decomposition may also cause oxygen
depletion. DO concentration can be augmented by using aerator.
41
3. pH
Water pH is a crucial factor as it influences not only the organisms but also many other water
quality parameters. It is defined as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration
and can be within the range of 0-14, 7 being the neutral pH. In freshwater fish culture pH of a
pond should be between 6.5 and 9 and optimum is around 7.5-8.
Fish in general do not like pH level beyond 5-9 level. Extreme pH affects excretion of CO2 and
ammonia and also ion exchange at gill surface. The pH level 4 and below are said to be acid
death point, at 4-6 growth of fish is slow. It is found that pH 6.5-9 is ideal for growth and
survival of fishes. Similarly, pH 9-11 results in slow growth and becomes lethal for fish if
exposed for longer period. Beyond 11, it is alkaline death point. The pH of water can be adjusted
by using lime. The quantity of lime required to neutralize the pH is given below.
Soil pH Lime ( kg/ ha)- CaCO3
6.0 – 7.0 300-500
5.0 - 6 .0 500 - 1000
4 .0 - 5 .0 1000 - 1500
3 .0 - 4 .0 2000 - 4000
Acid sulfate soil after >5.0 pH 500 kg
4. Temperature
Temperature effects all biological and chemical reactions. Metabolic activity almost doubles
at every 10oC rise in temperature, and simultaneously oxygen demand of the organisms also
increases. But as temperature increases dissolution capacity of oxygen in water decreases hence,
in severe conditions may create stress to the fishes and may cause hypoxia. Sudden change in
temperature, transferring fishes from one temperature condition to other can be detrimental
to the fish. During releasing seeds into a new pond, if the temperature difference between
pond water (where fish seed will be released) and inside medium (where they are being
transported) is too much (>50C), there may be mass mortality due to temperature shock.
Hence, plastic bags in which they are being carried have to be kept on the pond surface (without
opening) atleast for 30 minutes. Then the bags have to be opened and the PL allowed to go out
by themselves into the pond. The temperature of Andaman water is congenial for fish farming.
Temperature is reasonably stable without having too much fluctuation.
5. Turbidity
Turbidity indicates that water contains suspended materials which interferes light passages.
Turbidity restricts light penetration into the pond and discourages growth of phytoplankton.
Turbidity due to phytoplankton is desirable while due to suspended soil particles is undesirable.
In Andaman raining season lasts for nearly 8 months. During heavy rain, along with the runoff
water lot of suspended materials will gain entry into the pond. Entry of highly turbid water
into the pond will adversely effect the growth of the organisms. Too much of suspended
particles may also clog and damage the gills of fishes. In semi-intensive farming, light greenish
colour due to green algae and diatom population is encouraged. For attaining this, fertilization
is being carried out at regular interval. Desirable level of transparency of pond water (as

42
measured by secchi disc) should be 23-40cm. Less than 20 cm means very high growth of
plankton and hence not desirable and water has to be exchanged. More than 35-40 cm indicates
very low plankton growth.
6. Ammonia
In a fish pond, ammonia is generated from the metabolic processes of the organism and
nitrogenous products like ammonia, urea, uric acid and other nitrogenous byproducts like
protein aminoacids, etc are liberated. The pond fishes are fed with protein rich diets and during
the process, uneaten food particles, faecal matters, byproducts of digested foods, etc are also
deposited at the bottom of the tank. During the degradation of these organic matters ammonia,
is liberated.
Ammonia is highly toxic to fishes and other aquatic organisms. In aquatic environment
ammonia is found in two different forms, unionized ammonia and ionized ammonium. The
unionized ammonia is highly toxic than its counterparts. Added to this, toxicity and
concentration of unionized ammonia increases with increase in temperature and pH.
Continuous monitoring should be done so that ammonia cannot be accumulated in the fish
pond. Unionized ammonia above 0.25 ppm is highly toxic to fish and they will die within 3
days. It is recommended that concentration of unionized ammonia should be below 0.05 ppm.
However, well managed ponds with low stocking density, optimum feeding, etc may not face
problems related to ammonia toxicity, which is more prevalent in case of older and deep
perennial ponds.
7. Nitrite and nitrate
Nitrite form of nitrogen is also toxic to fish. It is accumulated in a pond due to the oxidation of
ammoniacal nitrogen to nitrite. This process is relatively faster in comparison with the
conversion of nitrite to nitrate and because of this initial process, nitrite may be accumulated
in the system. When concentration is substantial, it reacts with haemoglobin and converts to
methemoglobin, because of which the oxygen carrying capacity of blood decreases drastically
and fishes become lethargic and reluctant to consume food. In severe condition, the fish may
die. This disease is called brown blood disease. It is found that nitrite poisoning is species-
specific. Nitrite concentration should not be more than 0.1 ppm.
In comparison with ammonia and nitrite, nitrate is less toxic to fish. Except when concentration
of nitrate in water is exceptionally very high, not much problem may arise in a fish pond.
Fishes can tolerate up to 20 ppm of nitrate without showing any side effects. However, chronic
exposure at very high concentration (> 20 ppm) may cause stress to the fish and expose them
to disease infection.
8. Alkalinity and hardness
Alkalinity and hardness are also having a significant role in fish culture practices. Alkalinity
is generally caused by carbonate (Co32-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) ions and hardness by mostly
calcium (Ca++) and magnesium (Mg++) ions and expressed as mg/l of CaCo3. The alkalinity is
responsible for the buffering capacity of waters. Carbonate and bicarbonate ions prevent
fluctuations of pH. Fishes are sensitive to change in pH, and if buffering capacity of the water
is not very good, fluctuation of pH will be very high and fishes may have problem. Alkalinity
of freshwater ponds should be >20 ppm. Hardness is also equally important in a pond. Apart

43
from playing an active role in osmotic pressure, it also helps in the process of bone formulation,
blood clotting and other metabolic and biochemical reactions. Hardness of water can be from
60 to 250 ppm depending upon the species or conditions.
9. Hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide is the by-product of metabolic decomposition of organic matter like feed
waste, faecal matter, dead plants and animals in a pond. Unionized hydrogen sulfide is
extremely toxic to fish and hence presence of any detectable level is considered to be
undesirable. If any hydrogen sulfide accumulation in water is come across, water has to be
exchanged immediately. After harvest, the pond has to be dried and racked properly to
eliminate harmful gases accumulated at the bottom.
Summary
1. Regular monitoring of water quality parameters of a pond is very much essential. The
parameters of importance are pH, unionized ammonia, nitrite, dissolved oxygen and
salinity.
2. Quality of the source of water has to be ascertained by a thorough examination especially
for sewages, pesticides or heavy metals.
3. Stocking density in a pond has to be maintained (@ 6000- 8000 number).
4. If any disease symptom is observed fishes has to be removed and treated separately.
5. Avoid overfeeding as this will create degrade the water quality.
6. When environmental conditions are not congenial like cloudy days persist for few days,
development of heavy algal bloom, etc., feeding and fertilization should be temporarily
stopped.

44
 13 Live feeds in Freshwater Hatchery
Bipul Chandra Ray
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

India occupies second position in the inland fish production globally with a production of
over 3.3 MT. This phenomenal rise is possible mainly due the development of induced breeding
technology and composite fish culture. Of late in Andaman due to huge demand and price,
freshwater fish farming is developing at a much faster rate. Several ponds and tanks are
being constructed. The Department of Agriculture constructed several ponds primarily for
irrigation purpose which are also used for fish culture. Scarcity of fish seed is the main problem
hindering the pace of development. Few farmers have taken up initiation for the development
of freshwater hatcheries. Natural feed is the single most important food item for a well managed
nursery farm. In this chapter a brief description of culture methods of live feed has been
illustrated.
Also known as “nutritive fauna”, live feed are eaten by fish in their natural habitat. These
include from tiny Infusoria and rotifers to Daphnia, nematodes, snails and many types of shrimps
such as Artemia, etc. The principal constituents of live feeds belong to rotifers, worms,
crustaceans, molluscs and insects.
Live feeds have several advantages:
1. Adaptable to wide environmental conditions.
2. Capable of growing at very high densities.
3. High nutritive value.
4. High conversion efficiency.
5. Short generation time and high multiplication rate.
6. Can be cultured in controlled condition.
7. Less deterioration of water quality of a fish pond.
Culture of live feed
Rotifers
Rotifers are the most important and widely cultured zooplankton used as the feed for fishes
throughout the world. Rotifers (Brachionus spp.) are very small measuring from 1/50 to 2 mm;
they live no longer than 2-3 weeks. Because of their nutritive value and smaller size they form
the ideal food for the fishes. Rotifers can be cultured in Baker’s yeast (1gm/ million rotifer
daily) media or along with phytoplankton. Chlorella and Tetraselmis have been used to raise
Brachionus in mass culture system.
Mass production of rotifers: The euryhaline rotifer can be grown in batch culture. In this case,
water is enriched with agricultural fertilizers and then inoculated with phytoplankton
(Chlorella). The inorganic fertilizers generally used are :-

45
 Urea 5 gms/tonnes of water
Ammonium sulphate 100 gms/ tonnes of water
Calcium super phosphate 20 gms/ tonnes of water
Metal mixture (Cu, Zn, Mg) 3 gms/ tonnes of water
The culture tanks may be maintained under green house conditions and aerated. The culture
is inoculated with rotifers, when the algae reach suitable density. However, rotifer cultures
maintained under this system usually contained other zooplankton and in such cases after
harvest the entire batch is discarded and a fresh batch is initiated.

Water temperature beyond 300C may not be suitable for maintaining the culture. pH around
9.0 is good. The old cultures develop bacteria and protozoan and such cultures are discarded.
Harvesting starts after about a week when the density is higher than 100 rotifers/ ml and
repeated every 3-4 days. Harvesting is done through Nylobolt filter cloth of 80μ size. Generally
thinning method of harvesting is followed. After thinning an equal volume of Chlorella water
is added to the rotifer tanks for further propagation.

Worms : Tubifex

Tubifex are small, reddish worms up to 2 cm long, which occur in large numbers in the flowing
sewage drains. When disturbed, they enter into the mud. They can be cultured in the small
area and feed to the fishes.

1ststep: Preparation of substratum

(Raw cattle dung + Pond mud) 50% each or decomposed organic matter

Sieved by 30μ mesh nylon net

Culture tray is filled with the above to make 50 mm thick bed

2nd step: Preparation of slurry

500 lit capacity circular cement tank

Fill it with 400 litre bore well water

Add 1kg of raw cattle dung, 1kg of pig manure, 1kg of ground nut oil cake and
water

Aerate the tank to remove obnoxious gases

After three days, slurry is used for culture of Tubifex.

46
3rd step: Inoculation of the Tubifex.
Slurry is passed over the substrate slowly from one side of the tray.

20g Tubifex is inoculated in the substrate tray.

After 20 days of inoculation 1st harvesting starts

Harvesting continues in 20 days interval

Harvesting is done by putting a portion of the culture in freshwater to concentrate the Tubifex
to the surface due to lack of oxygen. They can be washed overnight under tap water to remove
mud attached in the body. These are served to the small fishes in the hatchery.
Crustacean
Artemia
Artemia, also known as brine shrimp, is the most preferred food item used in fish or shell fish
hatchery. Because they are relatively costlier they are primarily used in freshwater shrimp
hatcheries. It can tolerate salinity ranges from 3-300 ppt. The life cycle begins by hatching
cysts, which are metabolically inactive encysted embryos. Dormancy can persists for several
years as long as the cysts are kept dry. Putting dry cysts in seawater nauplius can be produced.
Brine shrimp cysts can be purchased in bulk and hatched as required in the laboratory. Generally
newly hatched A. salina nauplii are utilised as food. Essential conditions for restarting the
embryological development and hatching are-
1. Hydration of the cysts in sea water
2. Oxygenation of the medium
3. Illumination of the hydrated cysts
4. pH above 8.0 and
5. Temperature of 26-300C.
Hatching can be carried out in salinities ranging from 5-75 ppt. Continuous moderate aeration
which keeps the cysts in suspension is beneficial for hatching. Cylindro-conical hatching
containers and a stocking density of up to 2-10 gms cysts per litre gives good result. Usually
after 24-36 hours, the separated nauplii are collected. If Artemia nauplii are fed to marine
organisms, they can be directly transferred from the hatching containers to the larval rearing
tanks. In the case of freshwater organisms, however, it is generally considered wise to wash
the nauplii with fresh water before using them as feed. The nauplii survive long enough to be
preyed on by the aquaculture species.
Cladocera: Daphnia
Preparation of Culture tanks:
• Three days old sun dried soil is added to each cement tank (2500 L capacity) up to 5 cm
depth and lime powder is added at the rate of 0.2 kg/tonne.
• Water is added up to 15 cm height.

47
 • Poultry manure is added at the rate of 0.4 kg/ tonne on the 4th day as first dose.
• Water level is raised to 50 cm on the 12th day. Poultry manure is added 1.0 kg as second
dose.
Daphnia spp. may be collected from temporary ponds and released to tanks after segregation.
Cow-dung substrates
Cow-dung extract can be given as nutrient to Daphnia. Fresh cow-dung is dissolved at the rate
of 10 g/ l water, filtered through a fine mesh to set an uniform suspension and the extract is
added at the rate of 10 l/ tonne of culture water every day for first week, 20 l/ ton for 2nd week
and 30 l/ton for 3rd week preferably in the morning or evening. Green algae like Chlorella and
other blue green algae can be mass cultured and applied to the Daphnia medium as
supplementary diet. Cultured Daphnia can be harvested non-selectively, selectively and
alternately depending on the size of the Daphnia at regular intervals avoiding matured and
neonates.
Live feed culture unit can be maintained in freshwater hatchery system. It is better to have a
separate unit to minimise the dependency on natural feed. In common practice, yolk sac
absorbed spawns are stocked in the nursery ponds. The nursery ponds are prepared to augment
the natural productivity before stocking the spawn. In the initial period of their life, Indian
Major carps and Chinese carps feed on zooplankton. Hence in nursery pond copious quantities
of zooplankton has to be present so that spawn can easily graze upon them. Hence liming and
manuring has to be done. Details of the nursery management procedure has been discussed
elsewhere in this manual. It is better to inoculate nursery ponds with desirable species from
the live feed culture tank. The desired zooplankton for optimum growth of spawn are
Cladocerans, Rotifers and Copepods. To get continuous production, liming and fertilizing
have to be continued every month. Both the activities will increase the natural productivity of
the pond which will be evident by the presence of greenish water colour rich in phytoplankton
and swarm of zooplankton.

48
 14 Health Management in Freshwater
Ponds in Andaman

P. Krishnan, Kamal Sarma, C.S. Chaturvedi and S. Dam Roy

Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

Freshwater aquaculture has been in vogue ever since the people started settling in Andaman.
The candidate species for aquaculture are the Indian major carps viz., catla, rohu and mrigal,
all of which were introduced into these islands from the mainland India. Freshwater aquaculture
is more a backyard activity in Andaman, characterized by few ponds in the agricultural land,
low stocking density, less inputs and average production. This reduces the risk of diseases but
the whole activity becomes grossly uneconomical. Freshwater aquaculture integrated with
different components of animals, horticulture crops and agriculture are considered ideal for
the Island conditions. One of the major issues in freshwater culture is that non-availability of
fish/prawn seeds, which has created a market for the unauthorized import of seeds from
mainland. But for sporadic incidences of diseases caused by Aeromonas hydrophilla, the culture
in Andaman is generally disease-free. However, due to import of seeds from mainland through
unauthorized channels into Andaman has reversed the scenario and farmers have started
facing loss of their crop to diseases.
Diseases mean any abnormality in structure or function. Therefore, physical damage, ferric
problem infection with any pathogen or reduced growth, are all referred to as diseases. Disease
usually results from a combination of susceptive host in stressful environment together with
potentially harmful organisms (pathogens). Disease problems have resulted in massive
financial losses to the farming industry, and therefore a basic knowledge on the causes of
diseases is required before planning for their prevention and control.
Detection of the presence of disease can be very difficult unless there are mass mortalities. The
objective is always to identify a problem at the earliest stage so that some form of action can be
taken before production is seriously effected. Detecting a disease in the early stages often
involves monitoring the physical appearance of the shrimp, the water quality and production
records (including food consumption and growth). In most cases the external signs of ill health
are the same for a large number of related pathogens and in many cases the external appearance
of the population only provides a vague indication of health, unless it is known how the
appearance is changing. For example unless the condition of the cultured fishes/shrimps are
monitored regularly, it will not be possible to detect whether they have empty guts or any
kind of external lesion.
Identifying the pathogen or giving a name to the disease is of very little value to the farmer. In
most of the cases, early identification is required just to prompt the famer to go for emergency
harvest, to design future drugs for treatment or to prevent the spread of the disease. Otherwise,
identification directly does not increase the production of the farmer. Since diseases in farmed
animals mostly results from a combination of environmental and infections agents, control
most involve improving the environmental condition. Treatment with chemicals alone is rarely,
if ever, effective.

49
Types of diseases
Based on the causes of the diseases in shrimps/fish, they can be grouped into four main types:
1. Environmental causes: These are disease are those caused due to poor environmental
conditions like low dissolved oxygen or high ammonia.
2. Nutritional diseases : They are caused by qualitative and/or quantitative deficiency in
one or more of the essential feed components in the daily ration of the farmed animals
3. Pathogens : The pathogens may be of viral, bacterial or fungal origin. Parasitic diseases
also are known to inflict huge economic losses to the brackishwater farmers worldwide.
4. Stress : The physiological status of the animal decides the ultimate susceptibility of the
fish/shrimp to the disease.
General signs of disease
1. Shrimp/fish moves to the surface of the water or the edge of the pond.
2. Loss of appetite and fishes do not consume food properly.
3. Change in colour / loss of pigments is an indication of illness in shrimp/fish.
4. Loss of appendages or damage to fins is a common symptom of many pathogens known
to the aqua-industry.
5. Accumulation of debris on gills, external fouling or growth of organisms on the surface
indicates the poor physiological status of animals.
6. Discolouration of gills in fishes suggest low dissolved oxygen in the environment.
Methods of disease prevention
The farm should be located in a pollution-free environment.
1. Before stocking, the ponds should be drained, sun dried and sufficient quantity of lime
should be applied.
2. The ponds should be stocked only with healthy seeds.
3. Quarantine measures: the seed and brood of shrimp/fish should be screened for
pathogenic microorganisms before transporting for aquaculture purposes.
4. Water quality plays a very critical role in maintaining the optimal health of the shrimp
and utmost care is to be taken to provide the best water quality to the cultured fishes/
shrimps.
5. Balanced diet at optimum quantity should be supplied. Accumulation of unutilized
feed should be avoided which otherwise might lead to spoilage of pond bottom.
6. Though genetically improved, disease resistant varieties of fish or shrimp are not readily
available, that remains as the best option for preventing disease incidence in captivity.
7. Drugs are useful to control the diseases if they are applied during the early phase of the
diseases.

50
Chemicals and Drugs in aquaculture
There are a number of chemicals and drugs that are used in freshwater ponds in mainland
India and the rest of the world. Considering the fact that the environment in the Islands is
pristine and the aquaculture practices are mostly of extensive type, indiscriminate use of
chemicals is not advocated. Lime is the most widely used chemical which addresses many
problems in the aquaculture ponds. Apart from that, some of the chemicals like potassium
permanganate (2 ppm) and formalin (50 ppm) may also be used judiciously to prevent the
incidences of diseases. They can be given as a dip or bath treatment. Commercial vaccines can
best be given through feed.
Conclusion
Diseases in aquaculture occur mainly due to the environmental deterioration, since pathogens
are basically facultative in nature. The metabolic waste products and products of microbial
activity on the feeds may accumulate in the culture ecosystem when the water management is
inadequate. The diseases in farmed fish/shrimp of Andaman may be checked by following
good husbandry practices. Adequate scientific measures including careful pond preparation,
water quality and pond bottom management must be adopted to prevent outbreak of any
diseases. The farm personnel must check the status of health of fishes/prawns to prevent any
outbreak of diseases. However, considering the geographical locality of the Bay Islands and
heavy rainfall the islands receive, any use of chemicals would finally reach the ecologically
sensitive areas like mangroves and corals. Hence, it is strongly advocated to restrain from
indiscriminate use of chemicals and drugs. Successful disease-free aquaculture can be achieved
by scientific planning and proper management of farming environment.

51
 15 Economics of Small scale Fish Hatchery
of Indian Major Carps

Subhash Chand, S. Dam Roy and Kamal Sarma

Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair A & N Islands

Fishery is the fastest growing food producing sector in the world. In India this sector has
grown at the rate of about 4.1% in last fifty years. The freshwater sector has increased by 16.2
times during this period and this is mainly due to the standardization and easy to adopt seed
production technology. Fish hatcheries have been established in all parts of India and producing
seeds to satisfy local demand as well as supplying to neighbouring states. Because of easy to
operate and lucrative returns, it is becoming an important business opportunity for the people.
Establishment of a fish hatchery can not only generate self employment avenues but also will
trigger development of many subsidiary industries. Freshwater fishery resources and scope
for development of inland fisheries is limited in these island states. This is mainly due to
absence of major rivers or large natural water bodies. However, fresh water fish culture is
popular in Andaman. There is heavy demand for IMC fishes and the average price of IMC is
always above Rs.140 per kg. Because of high rate of annual rainfall many farmers have
constructed ponds for conservation of rain water and use either for either agricultural purpose
or for water source for human or animal use. Total demand of fish seed for Andaman is around
10 lakh fingerling. However, at present there is no well established private fish seed producing
farm in South Andaman that can produce and supply fish seeds are not only costly but also
creating vulnerable situation of disease outbreak to the indigenous species of this island. The
article explains the economics of small scale fish breeding unit through hapa breeding
techniques. This will not only help to increase freshwater fish production in these islands but
will also be an avenue of self employment.
Technical Details
Fishes generally mature when they become 2 + years of old. In the brood stock pond healthy
yearling can be procured and regular feeding and management techniques should be taken
up till they mature. The breeding season starts in Andaman from the month of May to August.
Special care has to be taken from January onwards as from this season development of eggs is
in progress. If the farmers can procure brooders itself in the months of March-April breeding
can starts in the same year itself after through acclimatization. Mature male and female can be
identified through secondary sexual characteristic or by gently pressing the belly of the fishes.
Fully ripe male freely ooze milt and female with swollen abdomen and pinkish genital opening.
The carp should be selected with body weight of 2-5 kg for breeding. In small scale hapa
breeding operation breeding and incubation will be carried out in the brood stock pond itself.
The breeding operation last for about 3½ months. During the whole season, two-three times
nursery management can be repeated. Note that from second year on wards more that two
times nursery management can be practiced and production of the last one can be raised in
the nursery pond itself to fingerling or yearling. These fingerling and yearling will give an
additional income to the farmer.

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Particulars
Total investment in 16 months : Rs. 140000
Pond preparation : 20 days
Spawning and incubation : May – August
Nursery Rearing : June-July, July-Aug
Selling : 2 sets of fry production
Particulars Dimension Total Area (m2)
Brooders tank (1) 50 x 20 x 2.5 1000
Nursery pond (4) 10 x 20 x 1 800
Free space breeding operation (1) 10 x 5 m 50
Packing shed (1) 10 x 5 m 50
Feed storage unit office room etc (1) 100
Total 2000

Inputs Required

No. Items Source of availability

1. Breeding hapa (2x1x1) Can be made by purchasing cloth

from market and tailoring

2. Incubation hapa set (2x1x1)

3. Conditioning hapa (2x2x1)

4. Spring balance Market

5. Hand net Can be made by purchasing cloth from market

and tailoring

6. Ovaprim hormone Procured through order

7. Drag net Market

8. Potassium permanganate Chemical shop

9. Yearling Farmer’s pond

10 Feed Market

11 Lime Market

12 Cow dung Farmer

13 Urea and SSP Fertilizer shop

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Investments
A. Fixed Cost

Total
No Item No. required Rate (Rs.)

1 * Nursery ponds 4 nos Rs1000/hour

1,65,000
2 *Broodstock Pond 1 nos (20m3/ hr)

3 Breeding hapa 5 400 2,000

4 Incubation hapa set 20 800 16,000

5 Conditioning hapa 5 600 3,000

6 Spring balance 1 2000 2,000

7 Drag net 2 8,000 8,000

Sub Total 1,96,000

y Cost of pond construction is a one time investment.

A. Variable cost

No Item No. required Rate (Rs.) Total

1 Brooders pond preparation 10,000 10,000

2 Brooders (yearling) 80 5 400

3 Feed for (2 years) 1000 12 / kg 12,000

4 Potassium permanganate 500 g 500/kg 500

5 Ovaprim 3 500/ vial 1,500

6 Nursery pond preparation 4 x 2 times 2000 16,000

7 Labour (3 months) 2 100/ day 18,000

8 Measuring cylinder, Glass Assorted 1,000

syringe, Hand net

8 Miscellaneous 1,600

9 Sub Total 61,000

A+B Grand total 2,57,000

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 Number of
Fry Survival at Total expected
Returns Rate of fry nursery
Nursery pond revenue
operations

Gross Returns Rs 1 per

50% 2 Rs 2,40,000
(Every year) piece

Gross profit in the first year ( Gross returns – Variable cost) Rs 1,80,000

Net Returns from small scale hatchery unit

Gross returns Cost Returns Net Returns

Particulars
(Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.)

Net income of I year 2,40,000 2,57,000 - 17,000

Net income of II year 2,40,000 60,000 1,80,000 1,63,000

Net income of III

2,40,000 60,000 1,80,000 1,80,000
year onwards

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 16 Marketing Opportunities of Fish Seed
and Freshwater Fishes
S.K. Zamir Ahmed and S. Dam Roy
Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair- 744 101

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are our eastern most frontiers and have a very strategic role in
security of our vital economic installation and natural resources. Further they are warehouse
of a vast biodiversity. Even though the agriculture is known to have been started in the Islands
as early as 1857 with the penal settlement, it had never been a significant vocation either
during British occupation or even after independence until early sixties. It is natural that
there are no traditional agriculturists and the main agriculture is practiced by the displaced
people who are settled in these islands especially from Bangladesh and those from Kerala.
Most of the agricultural activities remain with the established settlers hailing from erstwhile
east Bengal.
Fishermen were originally brought from mainland and settled at several localities by the local
administration by providing incentives such as free plots for house construction, financial
assistances and fishing inputs like boat, net, twine, hook, etc. in Andaman. During the days of
penal settlement, the Jail authorities in Port Blair had taken responsibility of supplying fish to
the public and for this, a team of convicts showing an aptitude towards fishing were deputed
in the profession of fishing in Andaman. Fishing as a commercial activity is of a relatively
recent origin in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Fishermen from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh,
Kerala and Tamil Nadu have come to these islands either through settlement scheme of the
government or voluntarily. However, at present majority of the marine fishing activities are
being carried out by fishermen from Andhra Pradesh. Thus, the agricultural development in
these islands can not be viewed in isolation. The real challenge to the future island agriculture
is to meet the requirement of local population and tourists at a reasonable cost.
Today’s island farming scenario & CARI’s approach
National Sample Survey envisages that about 40 percent of the farmers are ready to leave
agriculture if an alternate livelihood option is available. Similarly 60 percent of practicing
farmers are above 50 years, which means that the youth are not viewing farming as an
occupation. The situation in the islands is even more peculiar wherein the first generation of
settlers who were either freedom fighters/convicts or displaced persons from Bangladesh,
Burma or Sri Lanka took up farming as it was the only source of livelihood. However, with
globalization and information explosion, the aspiration level of today’s youth has risen. This
young population does not find quality of employment available in traditional agriculture
compatible to their aspirations to lure them towards farming. Thus our agricultural production
system has to be reoriented by appropriate intervention for reducing drudgery, value addition,
increased productivity and improved profits to match his aspiration.
To retain farm youth in agriculture, an innovative approach of translating fourteen technologies
in Agricultural and Allied fields as Micro Business Modules (MBM) for providing decent
livelihood options to the youths of the island has been developed in association with NABARD.
The details of the technology are available on our website http://cari.res.in (Srivastava and
Ahmed, 2008).

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Further brief information on the breeding and culture of Indian Major carps like area required,
minimum investment and net return befitting to different socio- economic situation (Dam Roy
et.al., 2008) is given in the table below.
Technology, area required, investment and net return from livelihood options

*Net return is after deducting the fixed cost

Fish as a business
The freshwater sector has increased by 16.2 times during the period which is mainly due to
the standardization and easy-to-adopt seed production technology. Department of Agriculture
after tsunami have constructed many ponds for the farmers where freshwater fish culture can
be practiced as a micro enterprise for decent livelihood. Popularity of freshwater fish can be
rated based on the fact that the fishes fetch an average price of above Rs.120 per kg throughout
the year. Fish hatcheries should be established to produce seeds to satisfy local demand as
well as supplying to neighbouring states. Its easiness to operate and lucrative returns has
made it important business opportunities for the people. Total demand of fish seed for these
islands is around 10 lakh fingerling. Freshwater fish production and its marketing for the
enterprising youths will be an avenue for self employment and means for providing decent
livelihood.
Marketing Channel
Unorganised
(a) Producer to Consumer
(i) Fisherman to Fisher women/ men to Retail Market
(ii) Fisherman to Fisher women/ men to Door to Door Market
(b) Producer to Middleman to Consumer (Retailer/Wholesaler)
(c) Producer to Wholesaler
Organised
(a) Producer to Authorised Marketing Agency (which assures for support price in all season)

57
Both the type of marketing channels offers wide opportunities to the producer to sell their
produce. But the hidden truth is that one should always opt for the organised marketing channel
which assures the right price of the product as per the GMP (Good Management Practices)
accompanied with support price. Thus, in toto, the individual is safe in his profession.
Strategy
Fisheries sector is very lucrative business due to its high demand, offers ample employment
generation to rural youth and ensures establishment of export oriented units thereby facilitating
earning of foreign exchange. The marketing of fishery resources is highly unorganized in
Andaman Islands and the fishermen are not able to get the maximum share of consumers’
rupee.
The strategy has to be simple and compatible to their socio- economic condition.,
• Proper orientation of the stakeholders on the tools and techniques of farming.
• Exposure on the farming
• Scientific know-how and do-how (Hands-on-Training).
• Sorting, grading, packing and handling.
• Adoption of good management practices (GMP).
• Functional linkages with the researchers, development department, NGOs, private
entrepreneurs.
• Contractual linkages with the marketing agencies for assured return and risk
management.
• Rewards and recognition to the best entrepreneur at all levels and platform.
Hence, appropriate policy initiatives have to be undertaken by adopting Bottom-up Approach
(BUA) to protect the farmers in these islands so as to make this profession a profitable and
sustainable one to them.

References
S. Dam Roy, Grinson George, Kamal Sarma, C.S. Chaturvedi and S.N. Sethi (2008), Small scale
seed production and nursery raising of Indian major carps in book entitled “Micro
Business Module in Agriculture and Allied Fields for Livelihood Options in A & N
Islands” p 64.
R.C. Srivastava and S.K. Zamir Ahmed (2008), Micro Business Module in Agriculture and
Allied Fields for Livelihood Options in A & N Islands p. 74, CARI, Port Blair.

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 17 Women Self Help Groups (SHG) in Developing
Freshwater Fish Farming in Andaman
Kanak Lata
KVK, Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair

Participation of women’s SHG in aquaculture is presently very limited, but possibility of their
participation is enormous. The home-stead ponds which are dratted all over the Islands are
used for bathing, cleaning household utensils and also for subsistence fish culture. But with
the help of recent innovations and financial support of the Self Help Group it is possible to
increase the participation of women members of SHG in aquaculture.

The agricultural women labour force mostly has job for about 180 days in a year. The rest of
the time could be utilized for several activities connected with aquaculture, such as net making,
seed rearing, culture of fish fry, fingerling and table fish. As entrepreneurial skills are developed,
women SHG could be involved in carp breeding and hatching management, carp fry rearing,
prawn seed rearing, etc.

Carp breeding: After the formation of SHG, women could start carp breeding as a short term
seasonal activity during the monsoon season, along with other agricultural activities. Common
carp can be easily bred by providing aquatic weeds to enable them to deposit their eggs. These
weeds are later removed and eggs collected for incubation in hapas or small hatcheries. Major
carps like catla, rohu, mirgal need inducement to breed by pituitary administration. The
economics depends on scale of operation. For a small unit producing 10 lakh spawn in hapas,
the net income would be Rs. 1290 in a month against investment of Rs. 3510. The full scale
hatchery capable of producing 20 lakh of fry gives a much better return but calls for more
technical know-now of hatchery operation and fry rearing.

Carp fry rearing

After Tsunami many ponds have been dug by government organization and NGOs and many
farmers have developed interest in carp culture. Rearing of carp seed in small village ponds to
meet local demand is being encouraged all over in Islands. Carp spawn is available from state
hatcheries or CARI hatcheries. Many small hatcheries have come up in private sector in Diglipur
and South Andaman from where one can easily obtain spawn. Management practices of carp
nurseries are simple starting with eradication of unwanted fishes, weeds and aquatic insects,
manuring and feeding of stocked spawn. All these activities can be easily done by SHG
members.

The unit economics has been indicated for a pond of 0.02 ha which can be easily managed by
two, three women. Though fry rearing activity takes two weeks only, some times marketing
takes time and thus crop duration is indicated as one month. The cost on input and harvesting
for rising of one lakh spawn in a 0.02 ha pond is Rs 625 while income by sale of fry is Rs. 3000,
leaving a net income of Rs 2375 i.e., about Rs. 1200 per month per woman.

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 Prawn seed rearing

To meet the growing need of prawn seed for grow-out operation, raising of prawn seed is
essential. Although government hatcheries are available but raising of proper size for stocking
need to be done by the farmers. The delicate operation can be done by women profitably as
has been done by women of many south East Asian countries.

This is a new activity which needs to be introduced in the Islands on similar lines as for carps.
Prawn farming in Islands need to be considered on three tire system, SHG can play a vital role
in this venture - one group can produce the prawn seed in the hatchery, another group can
raise them to PL 20-40 stockable size followed by grow-out phase to be done by another group
which can rear the prawn for table purpose. In Islands, a very big demand for prawn came up
due to tourism. SHG can fulfill this demand in an excellent manner.

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