Optimization of Hormone for Artificial Breeding and Seed Production of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) Under Captive Condition

Aims: The study aimed to develop brood stock of Magur (Clarias batrachus), artificial breeding and seed production under captive condition using growth hormones in north-eastern Bangladesh.

Study Design: Fifteen pairs of brood Clarias batrachus were used in this experiment. Brood fishes were reared up to maturation for spawning operation in the farm by providing artificial diet for 4-5 months before onset of breeding season. In the present experiment, the brood fishes were induced with three growth hormones viz., Ovupin (100 mg dompridone and 0.2 mg S-GnRHa) at the rate of 1 ml.kg-1 body weight, Flash (20 mg S-GnRHa, 10 mg dompridone IP and propylene glycol) at the rate of 1 ml.kg-1 body weight and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) hormone at the rate of 2272 IU.kg-1 body weight; respectively. The broods were injected with single injection in all treatments.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted on induced spawning of Magur (Clarias batrachus) at the Reliance Aqua Farm, Boilor, Trisal of Mymensingh district from March to August, 2016.

Methodology: Sexually mature healthy, uninjured male and female fishes were collected from the broodstock ponds for induced breeding. The fishes were transferred in the clean and germ free conditioning tanks for about 6-7 hours. During conditioning, continuous splash of water was given by keeping the male and female separate. The fishes were then weighed individually and injected intramuscularly with Ovupin, Flash and HCG hormone respectively. Only females were injected at 45° angle of the caudal peduncle. About 23-24 hours of post-injection the testes from males were dissected and mixed with stripping eggs for fertilization.

Results: The incubation period for fertilized eggs were 23-24 hours for all the treatments. Fertilization rates were 78.20±0.52, 93.09±0.61 and 81.60±0.97 % and hatching rates were 54.93±0.61, 75.77±0.47 and 64.41±0.71 % in Ovupin, Flash and HCG treatments, respectively.

Conclusion: This study revealed higher fertilization (93.09 %) and hatching (75.77 %) rate was achieved with Flash hormone. Therefore, Flash hormone could be effective for the artificial breeding and seed production of Magur (Clarias batrachus).