9
Introduction to broodstock nutrition of cultivable catfish in India In India, the steady growth in freshwater aquaculture is led by the recent production of catfish, with a share of around 10-15% of the inland sector. Part 1 of this article provides an overview of the effects of nutrition on fecundity, fertilization and embryo development of catfish broodstock and larva quality and the proteins and amino acids requirements of broodstock. In the second part, to be published in the next issue, nutrient requirements will be further discussed along with feeding practices. Pabda (Butter catfish ) harvest.
By Priya Rawat, Pradyut Biswas, Alok Kumar Jena
Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (I), Tripura-799210, India
Catfish are characterized by a scale less body and a unique taste and delicacy that attract consumers, consequently they fetch a high market price. There are six catfish species being cultivated in India (Table 1). Among six, only two catfish species viz. Pangas and Magur are cultured intensively in the country owing to their higher production rates that are achieved by using various local as well as commercial feeding practices. Catfish production is the fastest growing fish farming segment in India following carp.
Organized catfish aquaculture has not developed as yet in India due to unavailability of fry. The captive seed production techniques for most of the catfish have been developed with a considerable degree of success. The inadequate and inconsistent availability of healthy broodstock is the reason for less survival in catfish hatcheries. Thus availability of an optimal brood stock diet is identified as a key factor for the sexual maturation and reproduction of catfish in captivity.
In view of this, broodstock nutrition is without doubt one of the most poorly understood and researched areas of finfish nutrition. It is fundamental to the progress towards greater control and domestication of aquaculture, as is manifest in the poultry, swine and other livestock sectors. To a considerable extent, the composition of broodstock diet is assumed to have profound effects on gonadal growth, fecundity, reproduction, egg quality and larval quality in several fish species. Moreover, it is also