International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Authors
U Sah, SK Wagle, SN Mehta, YK Mukhiya

Abstract
River catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) locally known as pangas is one of the major food fish species with its highest productivity in culture system. In recent years, fish farmers of Nepal have shown interest to grow this species in ponds aiming to increase profitability and satisfy ever increasing market demand for fish. Seeds (fry) of this fish is not readily available and the technology of seed production has not been well adopted and verified in the country. Attempts were made on breeding and fry rearing of Pangas at RARS, Tarahara and observations were made on reproductive and nursing characters and performance. Pangas matured at 3⁺ year age in pond environment and spawning season observed was early June to September when water temperature ranged between 26 ^oC to 31 ^oC. Gonado-sometic index during spawning period estimated was 17.5±4.1% and fecundity ranged between 117000 to 153000 eggs/kg spawner. Ovulin (LHRH-A) at dose 0.5 ml/kg spawner was found effective to induce spawning after 8-14 h of latency period. Mean fertility rate and hatching rate from five breeding episodes estimated was 90.1±5.9% and 73.2±11.6%, respectively. Post-hatching survival of larvae was poor (<5% within 48 h) due to high cannibalism. Day-old larvae stocked at low density (0.6 million/ha) in rotifer enriched nursery pond and fed with a custard egg and soya powder at early days and later fed with carp fry diet resulted in 18.3% survival of fry with growth rate of 0.2g/day in 45 days of rearing. Concentrated studies on nursing management synchronized with live food production in nursery ponds for pangas larvae have been suggested.