Breeding Freshwater Fish PDF

Open elective FISH REARING AND CARE Fish Breeding Ms. Ayushi Singh Content Creating the right water conditions Getting started – stock and equipment Feeding Breeding Creating the Right Water Conditions Softening water Creating a peat substrate Hardening water...

Open elective FISH REARING AND CARE Fish Breeding Ms. Ayushi Singh Content Creating the right water conditions Getting started – stock and equipment Feeding Breeding Creating the Right Water Conditions Softening water Creating a peat substrate Hardening water Altering the pH Filters used in breeding tanks How to change water in fry tanks? Softening Water Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) Popular method Expensive Produce large amount waste water R.O. Water needs to be dissolved with tap water to maintain proper hardness Filtered Rain Water Cheap No waste water produced Contains pollutants Reverse Osmosis Filtered Rain Water Hardening Water Epsom salt Contains magnesium No calcium Limestone-Based Rocks Source of calcium carbonate Aquarium Stones (Seiryu Stone and Pagoda Stone) Other Sources of Calcium Carbonate Crushed coral Crushed oyster shells  Seiryu Stone Pagoda Stone Creating a Peat Substrate Crush peat Add onto water surface (5 cm / 2 in thick layer) Let it sink It takes approximately a week Stirring and squeezing air filled pieces everyday speeds up the sink Step 1 Step 3 Step 2 Altering the pH Creating a peat substrate helps to acidify the water Addition of coral sand helps to increase the pH and make it alkaline Filters Used in Breeding Tanks Filters with strong current Affect the small fry Affect bubble nests or spawning sites Not to include filters for fry Filters with soft current Simple bubble-up sponge filters are best suitable for fry Strong Current Filter Simple Bubble-up Sponge Filter How to Change Water in Fry Tanks? Partial water changes are vital for health of fry It helps to remove pollutants Start with 10% changing the water per week till fry grow After that gradually increase to 50% twice a week Replacement water should has same hardness, pH and temperature as the tank water Water Change Freshwater Ornamental fishes Badis Indian garfish Siamese fighing fish Dwarf gourami Colisa chuna Pearl gourami, Silver gourami, Snake skinned grurami, Blue gourami, Kissing gourami Zebra danio Goldfish Redtailed black shark Bridle shark Rosy barb Marine Ornamental fishes Clown fish Tomato clown Rose clown Sea angle Mooris idol Scorpion fish Bloonion fish Butterfly fish Fish aquarium market 1. Fish and Aquatic Life: Freshwater Fish: Such as goldfish, bettas, guppies, and cichlids. Saltwater Fish: Including clownfish, tangs, and angelfish. Invertebrates: Like shrimps, crabs, snails, and corals. 2. Aquarium Equipment: Tanks: Different sizes and shapes of glass or acrylic tanks. Filters: Mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration systems. Heaters and Chillers: For temperature control. Lighting: LED, fluorescent, and other types of lighting to support plant growth and display. 3. Aquarium Accessories: Decorations: Rocks, plants, driftwood, and artificial decorations. Substrate: Sand, gravel, or specialized substrates for plants. Maintenance Tools: Algae scrapers, water testing kits, and cleaning supplies. Scope of Aquarium industry Ornamental fish keeping at home is emerging as one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Aquarium keeping is said to be the second largest hobby next to photography. Minimum requirement of space and/or attention compared to other pet animals is the reason for growing interest in keeping aquaria all over the world. Further setting up of an aquarium is relatively inexpensive and can be installed in any location at home, where there is a diffused light. Around 2000 species and 1.0 billion ornamental fish are traded annually, involving more than 100 countries, in the ornamental fish trade but only some 30-35 species of freshwater fish dominate the market. Benefits This has been well established that aquarium fish can fetch about 100 times more price than the food fish and marine ornamentals are about ten times costlier compared to freshwater fishes Profitability of an ornamental fish-exporting unit works out to be highly lucrative, provided the activity is taken up on scientific lines with appropriate marketing strategies Small scale setting up is also possible Institutional funding for research and development activities is, however, essential. Commercial banks can formulate schemes for extending financial assistance to prospective entrepreneurs for short-term training programs on production of ornamental fishes  Two of the major areas which require urgent attention are (a) in-house breeding of selected species of marine ornamental fishes which are in great demand to release the pressure on wild capture and (b) scheme for educating/training of fisher folk in more skilled and specialized techniques of collecting, handling, sorting and transport of ornamental fish which could revolutionize the fishery industry to a greater extent.  Among the 300 species of freshwater fishes in the Western Ghats, 155 are considered ornamental; of which 117 are endemic to the Western Ghats. At present, only a small fraction of the endemic fish diversity is utilized in the ornamental fish trade in the domestic market and a major share of ornamental fishes marketed in India are exotic varieties Strategies to improve ornamental fish industry 1. Enhanced Breeding Programs: Selective Breeding: Focus on high-demand species and improving their quality. Research and Development: Invest in R&D for disease-resistant and vibrant fish strains. 2. Training and Education: Capacity Building: Provide training to breeders and farmers on advanced breeding techniques and sustainable practices. Awareness Programs: Educate stakeholders about market trends and the importance of maintaining biodiversity. 3. Infrastructure Development: Establish Hatcheries: Develop modern hatcheries with the latest technology for large-scale production. Upgrade Facilities: Improve existing facilities for better water quality management and disease control. 4. Market Expansion: Domestic Market: Increase awareness and accessibility of ornamental fish within India. International Trade: Strengthen export capabilities by adhering to international standards and certifications. 5. Regulatory Framework: Policy Support: Implement supportive policies for the ornamental fish industry. Quality Control: Enforce regulations to ensure the health and quality of fish being bred and sold. 6. Sustainable Practices: Environmental Conservation: Promote sustainable breeding practices that do not harm natural habitats. Eco-Friendly Products: Encourage the use of eco-friendly products in aquariums. 7. Technological Integration: Digital Platforms: Use online platforms for marketing and sales to reach a broader audience. Smart Aquariums: Implement smart technology for monitoring and maintaining aquarium conditions. 8. Financial Support: Subsidies and Grants: Provide financial assistance to small-scale breeders and farmers. Microfinancing: Offer microfinance options to encourage entrepreneurship in the ornamental fish sector. 9. Collaboration and Partnerships: Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between government bodies and private entities. International Cooperation: Engage in partnerships with international organizations for knowledge exchange and market access. 10. Community Involvement: Local Participation: Involve local communities in breeding and conservation efforts. Educational Initiatives: Promote fishkeeping as a hobby through schools and community programs. To improve the ornamental fish industry in India, the following important strategies are recommended: Systematic studies on the different aspects of feeding and reproductive biology of indigenous ornamental fish. Commercial farms with necessary infrastructural facilities and due support by technical experts are necessary to be set up for mass production of these fishes. Culture, breeding, and marketing of Indigenous ornamental plants should be given emphasis. Ornamental fish breeding and rearing units should have a constant supply of good sources of water and electricity. Farms with small-scale production capacities need to be provided with necessary support for enhancing their output. Brooders chosen should be of superior quality to obtain healthy and high-quality offspring having good demand in domestic as well as international market. Regular supply of feed ingredients like oil cakes, rice polish, and wheat bran, and animal-based protein such as fish meal and prawn-head meal, should be available for preparation of pelleted feed for ornamental fishes. Application of probiotics, which helps the well-being of the host animal and contribute, directly or indirectly to protecting the host animal against harmful bacterial pathogens  Incorporation of pigment-rich locally available ingredients through diets to impart a desired coloration of cultured ornamental fish to increase market price. Improvement of transportation facilities to supply ornamental fish into domestic and international markets with minimum stress to the live fish. Complete knowledge of market demand, customer preference, and the process of marketing network through personal contacts and public relations is essential. People involved in breeding and export should always be kept in touch with the recent developments in breeding, rearing, and marketing as well as research advancements in the field of ornamental fisheries. Ornamental fish farms are necessary to be equipped with fish pathology laboratories with basic facilities to overcome disease outbreaks in the system. Establishment of health centers for quarantine certification at key locations to meet the desired standards of the importers is essential. Frequent organization of training on different aspects of aquarium management by resourceful institutes for short and long durations depending on the clientele groups and requirements is necessary to boost the ornamental sector Getting Started – Stock and Equipment Inbreeding The rearing tank Rearing the offspring Breeding traps Spawning mops Inbreeding To avoid poor selection of breeding stock, obtain your stock from different sources Exception is guppies The Rearing Tank Tank size For small fry small tanks are used As the size of the fry grow transfer them to bigger tanks This helps in proper growth and development Regroup As fish mature, they may not be happy with large group of their own kind (e.g. Siamese fighter male) Keep the group small for better results Rearing the Offspring Never crowd the fry Identify and cull Surplus the excess fry at an young age Breeding Traps Spawning Mops Alternative to live plants Can be sterilized before being used for breeding Size and density can vary Can be easily placed at the site of spawning Making a Spawning Mop Making a Spawning Mop Making a Spawning Mop Feeding Infusoria Brine shrimp Microworms Infusoria The termed used for different microscopic organisms that live in water and feed on rotting plant matter Air born spores are used No need of stater culture Good source of nutrition  Step 2 Step 1 Brine Shrimp Newly hatched brine shrimp can be used as food for fry It is supplied with the infusoria Dried brine shrimp eggs are available from many aquatic outlets (store in dry and cool place) Brine Shrimp Preparation Clean plastic bottle (1 litre) Half fill with fresh tap water Add a half teaspoon of aquarium salt Add a quarter of teaspoon of dried eggs Supply aeration for circulation of eggs Keep it for 36 hrs at 24 ℃ After eggs hatch out remove the air supply Filter the shrimps and them with freshwater and feed the fry  Step 2 Step 1 Step 3 Microworms Microworms can be used with brine Need to obtain a starter culture These worms they feed on the surface from cereal based food (Oatmeal) How to Make a Mircroworm Culture? Cook oat meal in water and allow it to cool Place a layer of cooked oat about 1 cm thick at the bottom of a clean plastic tub Take a small spoon of old culture and put it on the top of new one Put a lid on the tub with proper ventilation and keep it at warm place After few days significant number of worms will be obtained Now you can directly feed the worms to your fry Microworm Culture Breeding Defination: Breeding is sexual reproduction that produces offspring, usually animals or plants. Fish breeding means the breeding, nursing and transfer of fish from one tank into another, also catching and keeping the reproducers for the recovery and maintenance. Types of breeders: Livebearers Egg layers Livebearers Fish reproduce by bearing live young. Livebearers give birth to a fully formed and functional young called fry. The eggs are fertilized and hatch within the female. Most livebearers have fewer and larger fry than egg layers because the fry need to be more developed and large enough to fend for themselves after birth.  Identifying sexes is usually easy as well. Males are generally larger and have larger, longer, more ornate, and more colorful fins than females. For instance, only male swordtails have the “sword” on their tails, and male guppies have larger, more flowing tails that are brightly colored. Fry should be separated from adults because the adults (including the parents) tend to eat them. Small live or frozen food and crushed flakes are good for feeding fry. Species of freshwater livebearers include mollies, platys, swordtails, and guppies. Egg Layers Egg layers spawn by several means, including egg scattering, egg depositing, egg burying, nest building, and mouthbrooding. In all cases, eggs are laid and fertilized outside the body. Nest-builders and mouthbrooders are generally good parents, protecting the eggs and fry from aggressors. Many cichlid species, such as freshwater angelfish, are nest-builders.  Egg scatterers, egg depositors, and egg buriers may or may not defend the eggs and fry. Usually the fry need to be separated from the adults to prevent the larger fish from eating them. Egg-scatterer females lay sticky eggs in various places within a certain area (often in areas that provide some sort of cover), while others set nonsticky eggs adrift in open water. Egg depositors pick one general spot to lay sticky eggs, usually on the bottom substrate and sometimes on the aquarium glass. Egg buriers either dive into soft substrate or the male pushes the female into the soft substrate to lay. The male then dives in to fertilize the eggs. In a tank breeding environment, peat moss is often a good choice for the substrate. Care for Newborns Fry should be separated from the adult fish and placed in a nursery tank. Water conditions should be kept much as they are in the main aquarium. There should be some kind of cover for the fry so they are safe, secure, and free from stress. Care for Newborns The aquarium should be filtered, but the pump should not be so powerful that it sucks in the fry. Several commercial baby fish foods are available. Alternatively, finely crushed flake and tiny live or frozen foods can be fed.