Journal of Environmental Biology

Studies on the reproductive biology and captive breeding of

Channa aurantimaculata, an endemic fish from Assam

Nibedita Gogoi¹*, L.P. Hazarika² and S.P. Biswas³

¹Department of Zoology, Kakojan College, Kokojan, Jorhat-785 107, India

²Department of Zoology, Lakhimpur College,? North Lakhimpur-787 031, India

³Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh -786 004, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: nbarukial@rediffmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

09 March 2014

Revised received:

21 February 2015

Re-revised received

27 April 2015

Accepted:

05 June 2015

Abstract

Channa aurantimaculata Musikasinthorn, an endemic murrel of Brahmaputra basin, is highly regarded as both food and ornamental fish. Five stages of gonadal development were observed in male and female fish.? The sex-ratio was significantly male-biased (M: F= 1:0.5). 50% maturity (M₅₀) for male and female was observed at 26-30 and 21-25cm respectively. However, both sexes were found to attain 100% maturity at 36-40 cm size group. The highest value of GSR (8.23?0.078) in females was observed in April. C. aurantimaculata is total spawner, breeding season is fairly prolonged starting from March- April and continuing up to July- August depending on rainfall pattern in a particular year. The species is moderately fecund, the absolute fecundity ranging from 1189 to 7642.? Correlation coefficient (r) indicated a close relation between fecundity and ovary weight than body weight or body length.? 'Pairing' was noticed among brooders at the onset of pre-monsoonal rain. Captive breeding of the species was successful and about 200 spawn were raised to fingerling stage. The approach of entire breeding programme was based on habitat manipulation. Courtship behaviour and parental care of the species were also documented.?

 Key words

Channa aurantimaculata, Courtship behaviour, Parental care, Reproductive biology

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