Clarias batrachus

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Scientific World, Vol. 4, No. 4, July 2006

32
INTRODUCTION
Air breathing catfish (Clarias batrachus, Family Clariidae)
normally breeds from April to August and attains a maximum
length of 35cm and a weight of 250g (Chowdhury, 1981).
Locally known as Magur, is a fish of great demand and
attracts the attention of farmers for its high market value in
Bangladesh. This species is very much popular in Bangladesh
for several reasons. Firstly, they are important part of the diet
for children and lactating mothers and also prescribed as diet
for the convalescent of the patients. Furthermore the species
can be kept alive for long time by storing in a water container
without giving any food as the species bear special accessory
respiratory organ. This fish is highly regarded for food due
to its high protein (15.0%), low fat (1.0%) and high iron content
(710mg/100g tissue).
It attains maturity within the first year of life and spawns in
both open and confined waters. It breeds in shallow marginal
waters of ponds, ditches and natural depressions, and
inundated paddy-fields during summer monsoon and rainy
season, usually between May and August (Ahmed et al.,
1985; Bhuiyan, 1964). C. batrachusinhibits in the fresh water
of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Srilanka and Malayasia
(Mookerjee and Mazumder, 1950). It is widely distributed all
over the Bangladesh in rivers, haors, baors, beels, jheels,
canals and ponds in Bangladesh (Islam and Hossain, 1983;
Hafizuddin, 1985; Rahman, 1989; Hafizuddin et al., 1989;
Bhuiyan et al., 1992). Once easily available in nature the fish
has, recently become scare because of many adverse changes
in their natural breeding and growing habitats. For this reason,
catfish fry is very rare in nature. Until recently, the supply of
its fry comes from natural sources. This is one of the limiting
factors towards catfish farming. To overcome this problem,
attempts have been made by many workers to produce larvae
through induce breeding by using hormones (Rahmatullah
et al., 1983; Mollah and Tan, 1983; Mollah, 1987). The
experiments conducted by Devaraj et al.(1972); Thakur (1976);
Ahmed et al. (1985); Zonneveld et al. (1988); Manikam and
Joy (1989); Naser et al. (1990); Rao and Janakiram (1991);
Saha (1996); Saha et al. (1998a) through stripping eggs from
the female and fertilizing with homogenate of mature testes
in 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl
2

) solution is to conduct further

studies relating to in vitro fertilization.
There is need, therefore, for development in certain aspects
of artificial breeding behaviour and rearing techniques of
spawn for their conservation and rehabilitation. While there
has been tremendous efforts for artificial propagation of C.
batrachus as described above, till today there has been a
serious lacking for suitable nursing technique especially up
to air breathing stage. Therefore, the present study of this
species was principally aimed at further optimising the
breeding techniques with particular emphasis on development
of a suitable nursery system.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Species collection
A total of 50 pairs of mature healthy broods were collected
ARTIFICIAL BREEDING AND NURSERY
PRACTICES OF
CLARIAS
BATRACHUS
(LINNAEUS, 1758)
QuazizahangirHossain*, M. Altaf Hossain** and Selina Parween***
*Associate Professor, Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna -9208, Bangladesh.
**Professor, Department of Zoology, and, Vice-chancellor, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi -6205,
Bangladesh.
***Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi -6205, Bangladesh.
Abstract: A study was conducted to observe the artificial breeding performance and nursery practices of the
threatened indigenous fish species Clarias batrachus at Arabpur Fish Farm (Longitude: 89
o

12’15" East; Latitude:

23
o

10’30" North), Jessore, Bangladesh in 2001 and 2002. Ten trial doses of PG used for induced breeding of C.
batrachus were 5.0 to 20.0mgPG/kg in the first dose, and 30.0 to 60.0mgPG/kg in second dose for female. On the
other hand, three trial doses were administered to identify a suitable single dose (15.0mgPG/kg) for the male.
Artificial breeding was successfully done in C. batrachus with 10.0mg of PG/kg body weight in first dose and
45.0mg in second dose for both wild and first filial (F
1

)generation of female. The highest growth and survivability of

the fish fry was obtained by using chopped Tubifex.
Key words: Clarias batrachus; Tubifex.
Author for Correspondence: Quazizahangir Hossain, Associate Professor, Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna
University, Khulna -9208,
Bangladesh.
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Scientific World, Vol. 4, No. 4, July 2006
33
from the local market which was previously catch from Bhairab
river and transported to Arabpur Fish Farm, Jessore, where
the experiment was conducted.
Breeding performance
Ten trial doses for female and three for male were used to find
out the breeding performance in respect of pituitary gland
(PG; Table 1). The dose interval between first and second
injection was 6hr for female but single dose was administered
to male during the first dose of female.
Female and male brood separation
The sex distinguished broods were kept in plastic drum before
treatment. The plastic drum was filled up to 15cm with pond
water and a net was placed on the top of the plastic drum to
prevent jumping of the fish out of the drum. Total lengths for
each of the broods were recorded to the centimeter (cm) and
weights in gram (g).
Hormonal extract preparation and injection
Pituitary glands were collected from the local market at
Jessore and were used for hormone administration. The doses
were calculated in milligram (mg) of gland per kg body weight.
Various doses were followed in the experiment intramuscularly
(Table 1).
Egg and milt collection
Striping was carried out within 14hr after administration of
second injection in female. The male fishes were dissected
and the testes were collected and cut into several pieces with
a sharp blade and pressed gently by a cloth to collect the
milt. The milt was kept in watch glass supplemented with 5%
dextrose. Then the eggs and milt solution were mixed
thoroughly in a plastic bowl with gentle shake for five minutes.
Sperms were then allowed to remain with eggs for another
five minutes and excess sperms were removed by several
times washing with water. Gamete ratio of female and male
was maintained at 1:1. The fertilized eggs were then placed in
hatching bed (made of nylon cloth) and submerged in a tray
with a continuous water flow of 0.5l/sec. The water
temperature of the tray varied between 27-28
o

C during the
experiment. The experiment was conducted in triplicates with
fresh gametes from new individual each time.
Determination of percentage and duration of different stages
Fertilization, hatching and deformities rates were calculated
for all these experiments. For fertilization assay, few fertilized
eggs were placed in a watch glass. The percent of eggs
fertilized was judged 1h after insemination, using a compound
microscope. Hatching and deformities rates were also
estimated by eye observation.
Ovulation took place by stripping method and hatching was
observed in the inundated bed in tray by undulating its caudal
portion. The yolk sac absorption was denoted by its free
movements instead of feeding. Because this fish start feeding
before yolk sac absorption at the water temperature of 27-
28
o

C. Period of air breathing after yolk sac absorption was

observed by the sign of air bubble formed on the surface of
tray water.
Nursery practices
Nursery practices from hatching to air breathing stages of
larvae were taken from 21 May to 10 June 2001.
Tray nursing of spawn
Nursing of magur spawn was carried out (300g = 10,000
individuals) in a aluminium tray (160cm X 70cm X 10cm water
Eggs (g)
Fertilization (%)
Hatching (%)
Deformities (%)
Spawn (g)
Treatment
2001
2002
2001
2002
2001
2002
2001
2002
2001
2002
T
1
(5+30;15)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
T
2
(5+35;15)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
T
3
(10+35;15)
75.00
72.67
27.67
43.67
16.33
34.67
0.01
0.01
108.75
224.04
T
4
(10+40;15)
80.00
86.33
60.00
62.00
55.33
53.00
0.001
0.001
325.83
383.51
T
5
(10+45;15)
86.00
90.33
88.33
94.00
84.33
89.67
0.00
0.00
572.85
694.43
T
6
(15+45;15)
80.00
88.00
74.00
92.33
67.00
88.67
0.001
0.001
507.22
673.83
T
7
(15+50;15)
77.33
73.00
39.33
60.67
21.00
48.33
0.001
0.001
148.33
308.35
T
8
(15+55;15)
66.67
65.67
25.00
26.67
13.67
15.00
0.01
0.01
96.67
96.13
T
9
(20+55;15)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
T
10
(20+60;15)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
LSD
11.92
17.18
12.48
12.74
11.14
15.20
00
00
124.48
159.35
Level of
significance
*
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
Table 1. Breeding performance of Clarias batrachus in different years following the PG doses (in all experimental treatments, one individuals
of both female and male fish were used as brood)
** Significant at 1% level; * Significant at 5% level
2001 for Wild Fish and 2002 for F
1

generation
T
5

means, Female: 1st dose 10mg and 2

nd

dose 45mg PG/kg body weight; Male: 15mg PG/kg body weight i.e., (10+45;15)
 Page 3
Scientific World, Vol. 4, No. 4, July 2006
34
depth) facilitated with continuous water flow for 18 days
after hatching under a shade. Few PVC pipes were placed on
tray as shelter. After four days of hatching when the yolk sac
was partly absorbed, the spawn were fed only egg yolk at
4hr interval for two days. Then they were fed Moina (D
1

),
chopped Tubifex (D
2

) and both Moina and chopped Tubifex

(D
3

) at 4hr interval for first 6 days and at 6hr interval for

another 6 days. The larvae were used to disinfectant twice
daily from fourth day to tenth day of feeding also
provided antibiotics and vitamins (Renamycin, 40mg/l;
Sulfaclozine
monohydrate,
20mg/l;
Sodium
Sulfachloropyridazine, 20mg/l; Amnavit, 40mg/l;
Metronidazole, 25mg/l; Cotrimoxazole, 35mg/l; Riboflavin,
25mg/l; Vitamin – C, 30mg/l; Vitamin – B complex, 25mg/l water
volume; and Enrofloxacin, 1ml/5l water). Fecal wastage and
dead larvae were removed before next feeding. The growth in
terms of length (mm) and weight (g) were determined when
air breathing started from 12 to 14 days of feeding after
which the fry were stocked in rearing pond for fingerling
to adult.
Physico-chemical parameters
Physico-chemical parameters of tray water were calculated
as water temperature, 27-28
o

C; pH, 7.2-7.8; DO, 5.4-6.2mg/l;

total alkalinity, 380-410; and total hardness, 450-510 during
the experimental period of 21 May to 10 June 2001.
Statistical analysis
The data on breeding performance and nursery practices were
normalized by arcsine transformation. Statistical analysis of
the data for all experiments were done by one way Analysis
of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s New Multiple Range
Test (DNMRT) to determine differences between the means
taking at 1% (P<0.01) significance levels (Gomez and Gomez,
1984).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Breeding performance
The breeding performance of C. batrachus fry was studied
in 2001 and 2002 for wild and F
1

generations respectively.
Quantity of water hardened egg
Spawning took place by stripping in 12:00-14:00hr after the
second injection of female at 27-28
o

C in all the generations.

There was a significant variation among the doses of PG in
respect of quantity of water hardened eggs in C. batrachus
(Table 1). The maximum quantity of eggs were found in T
5

for
wild (86.00g) and F
1

generation (90.33g) followed by T

6,

T
4,

T
7

in both the generations. While the lowest number of eggs

was observed in T
8

(wild=66.67g; F
1

=65.67g) preceded by T
3

(wild=75.00g; F
1

=72.67g).
Percentage of fertilization
The doses of PG in male (15mg) and female was significantly
affected the fertilization of eggs in C. batrachus in 2001 and
2002 for both wild and F
1

generations (Table 1). The maximum

number of eggs were found to be fertilized in T
5

for wild
(88.33%) and F
1

generation (94.00%) followed by T

6,

T
4,

T
7

in
both the generations. While the lowest number of fertilized
eggs were observed in T
8

(wild=25.00%; F
1

=26.67%) preceded
by T
3

(wild=27.67%; F
1

=43.67%).
Percentage of hatching
The hatching of larvae took place between 26:00-28:00hr after
ovulation at 27-28
o

C in all the generations. The percentage of

hatching of eggs was significantly affected by the doses of
PG in C. batrachus in 2001 and 2002 for both wild and F
1

generations (Table 1). The maximum number of hatching of

eggs was found in T
5

for wild (84.33%) and F

1

generation
(89.67%) followed by T
6,

T
4,

T
7

in both the generations. While

the lowest percentage of hatching was observed in T
8

(wild=13.67%; F
1

=15.00%) preceded by T
3

(wild=16.33%;
F
1

=34.67%).
Percentage of deformities
The yolk sac absorption required from 35:00-37:00hr after
hatching at the water temperature of 27-28
o

C in all generations.
The percentage of deformities of spawn was significantly
affected by the levels of PG in C. batrachus in 2001 and 2002
for wild and F
1

generations respectively (Table 1). The

maximum number of deformities were found in T
3

and T
8

for
both wild and F
1

generation (0.01%) followed by T

6,

T
4,

T
7

in
Treatment
Length (mm)
Weight (mg)
Production (kg/0.004 ha)
Survival (%)
D
1
22.07
88.13
0.860
97.670
D
2
24.17
125.20
1.24
99.67
D
3
24.00
124.13
1.24
98.67
LSD
1.56
29.75
0.30
1.15
Level of significance
*
**
**
*
Table 2. Growth production and survival of Clarias batrachus in tray nursery (2002)
** Significant at 1% level; * Significant at 5% level
Initial length and weight of Clarias batrachus spawn were 29.411764mg and 10mm, respectively after 112hr of hatching.
D
1

= Used Moina only as feed

D
2

= Used chopped Tubifex only as feed

D
3

= Used Moina and chopped Tubifex both as feed

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Scientific World, Vol. 4, No. 4, July 2006
35
both the generations (0.001%). In T
5

of both generations,
there was no sign of deformities.
Quantity of spawn produced
The yolksac absorption required from 96:00-112:00hr after
hatching at the water temperature of 27-28
o

C in all generations.
The doses of PG significantly affected the production of
spawn in C. batrachus in 2001 and 2002 for wild and F
1

generations respectively (Table 1). The maximum number of

production were found in T
5

for both wild (572.85g) and F

1

generation (694.41g) followed by T

6,

T
4,

T
7

in both the
generations. While the lowest production of spawn were
observed in T
8

(wild=96.67g; F
1

=96.13g) preceded by T
3

(wild=108.75g; F
1

=224.04g).
The percentage of fertilization of eggs varied from 50-90%.
The rate of survival of hatchlings from hatching upto fifth
day was 60-84.71% (Rahmatullah et al., 1983). The ovulation
of C batrachus has also been recorded in India by suing
single dose (135 to 150mg/kg) of IMC pituitary extract in
female (Khan and Mukhopadhyay, 1975). Latency period for
proper spawning in C batrachus was also reported to be
14hr at a temperature ranging form 27-28.5
o

C (Rao and
Jankiram, 1991). In case of artificial fecundation of C.
batrachus the fertilization percentage was found to be more
than 80% to fetilized the stripped eggs by homoplastic and
heteroplastic injections a partial success has been made at
different centers of the all India Co-ordinated Research project
(Thakur and Das, 1986).
There was significant variation among the doses of PG in
respect of fertilization and hatching in C. batrachus (Table
1). The maximum performance were found in T
5

for wild fish

(fertilization, 88.33% and hatching, 84.33%) and F
1

generation
(fertilization, 94.00% and hatching, 89.67%) followed by T
6

,
T
4

and T
7

in both the generations. While the lowest percentage

was observed in T
8

(wild, fertilization 25.00% and hatching

13.67%; F
1

generation, fertilization 26.67% and hatching

15.00%) preceded by T
3

(wild, fertilization 27.67% and

hatching 16.33%; F
1

generation, fertilization 43.67% and

hatching 34.67%). It is evident from the result that T
5

gave
the highest result for fertilization (88.33%) and hatching
(84.33%) and both increasing and decreasing the dose of PG
from T
5

decreased the fertilization and hatching of water

hardened eggs. It was proved that the production of spawn
in wild and F
1

generation also gave the highest results in T

5

when PG doses of first and second injection was applied

10mg and 45mg, respectively for female at 6hr interval and a
single dose of 15mg PG/kg body weight for male at the time
of first injection of female. From this result, it might be
concluded that the optimum dose for C. batrachus for wild
and subsequent generations may be the total amount of 60mg
(15+45mg) and 15mg PG/kg body weight for female and male,
respectively. Rao and Jankiram (1991) reported that the PG
doses were used 30 and 60mg/kg body weight of female, C.
batrachus. The pituitary treatment of this cat fish somewhat
agrees to that of Ramaswami and Sundararaj (1957) and
Tonsanga et al. (1963) who reported successful spawning in
C. batrachus by stripping. Khan and Mukhopadhyay (1975)
observed successful spawning using carp pituitary extract
at the rate of 100 to 150mg/kg of body weight. Sidthimunka et
al. (1968) noted that a single dose of carp pituitary at 100 to
150mg/kg was found successful. Much higher doses of
pituitary glands have been used for Clarias in Thailand.
Nursery practices
The nursery management of C. batrachus fry was studied in
21 May to 10 June 2002.
Length
There was significant variations among the treatments (feed)
in relation to length of fry (Table 2). The longest fry (24.17mm))
was found in D
2

(chopped Tubifex) followed by D

3

(24.00 mm)
and it was the lowest (22.07mm) in D
1

.
Weight
Highly significant variations among the different food items
was found in respect of weight of fry (Table 2). The highest
weight of individual fry (125.20mg) was found in D
2

(Tubifex)
followed by D
3

(124.13mg) and the lowest (88.13mg) in D

1

.
Production
The effect of feed on the production of fry was significantly
different (Table 2). The production of fry was the highest
(1.24kg/0.004ha) in D
2

and D
3

(Tubifex was common items as

feed) and the lowest production was observed (0.860kg/
0.004ha) in D
1

.
Survival
The survival rate of C. batrachusfry was significantly affected
by different feed materials used (Table 2). The highest survival
rates of fry (99.67%) was observed when chopped Tubifex
feed (D
2

) was used followed by (98.67%) Moina and chopped

Tubifex (D
3

), while it was the lowest (97.67%) when only

Moina was used (D
1

).
The spawn of C. batrachus was reared in tray upto the air
breathing stage of 14 days. Three were maintained different
feeds and same stocking density (300g/tray). The results in Table
2 showed that the highest growth (24.17mm and 125.20mg),
production (1.24kg/0.004ha) and survivability (99.67%) was
obtained when used chopped Tubifexas feed. Islam et al.(2004)
carried out an experiment for a period of 28 days to explore the
appropriate diet for C. batrachus with five different feeds viz
Moina sp. (T
1

), Tubifex sp. (T
2

), laboratory prepared feed (T

3

),
Moina sp. and Tubifex sp. (T
4

), and Moina sp. and laboratory

prepared feed (T
5

) and reported that there were no significant

difference (P>0.05) observed within the treatments of T
1

,T
2

and
T
4

, as well as T
3

-and T
5

. Final mean growth of 28 days larvae

were 2.48 to 3.76, 2.30 to 3.70, 0.26 to 0.40, 2.77 to 3.69, and 0.34 to
0.40g in T
1

,T
2

,T
3

,T
4

, and T
5

respectively. Survival rate of T

1

,T
2

,
T
3

,T
4

, and T
5

, were 94%, 91%, 93%, 89%, and 98% respectively

while the larvae fed on Tubifex with Moina exhibited the highest
growth performance while feeding with Moina alone is
economically more feasible for mass larval rearing. But the present
result showed the highest growth when used only chopped
Tubifex instead of Tubifex and Moina both together. The result
of the feeding trial show that those larvae fed with live Tubifex
sp. grew significantly better than those fed on the formulated
diets (Alam andMollah, 1988). It was indicated that live feed like
Tubifex sp. are suitable for C. batrachuslarvae. Seven days old
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Scientific World, Vol. 4, No. 4, July 2006
36
larvae reared for another 20 days with live Tubifex sp. in the
study attained a length of 1.2 to 4.4cm and weight 1.82 to 2.38g
(Alam and Mollah, 1988). Mollah (1987) reported C. batrachus
larvae attained length of 3 to 5cm (weight 0.3 to 0.5 g) after 35
days of rearing with live feed (Tubifex sp.) in the laboratory.
Rearing of C. batrachus larvae with live feed (Tubifex sp.) has
been reported (Mollah, 1987 and Mollah and Nurullah, 1988).
The experiment was carried out with 7 days old larvae of C.
batrachushaving an initial total length of 7.4mm and weight of
2.9mg. When the yolk sac was completely absorbed, the larvae
were fed with hard-boiled chicken egg yolk (Saha et al., 1998a).
In the present study, the length and weight attained by the
larvae fed diets D
2

and D
3

were significantly better than that fed

diet D
1

. However, the differences among the length gain and

weight gain of the larvae fed diets D
2

and D
3

were insignificant.
The larvae fed diet D
1

showed significantly better condition

factor than those of the larvae fed other two diets. There was no
significant difference between the condition factor of the larvae
fed diets D
2

and D
3

. The larvae fed on diet containing Tubifex

(diet D
2

) showed higher survival rate (99.67%) than those of the

larvae fed other two diets. However, no significant difference
was observed between the survival rate of the larvae fed diets
D
1

and D
3.

The weight gain 125.20mg in the diet D

2

when used
only chopped Tubifex after 14 days of nursing.
It is interesting to note that before absorption of yolk i.e
days of development onwards the larvae starts feeding on
very minute zooplankton (rotifera). Thakur (1991) reported
that the larvae of C. batrachus commences feeding before
the completion of the yolk absorption. All the adult characters
are attained within 18 days (10 to 11mm) of development in C
batrachus. However, Thakur (1991) mentioned that by
fifteenth to twentieth day most of the adult characters are
developed. Thakur (1976) mentioned that C. batrachus fry
attained 3-7cm size within 20 to 25 days with 20-40% survival.
The experiment was started with 5 days old larvae with
average total length of 17.91-19.89mm and weight of 2.55-
4.85mg (Yasmin et al., 1998). All of the fry were fed two times
(at 0600hr and at 1800hr) daily.The larvae of T
1

were fed live

feed (chopped tubificid worms), while those of T
2

were fed
both chopped tubificid worms and starter -I (Saudi Bangla
Fish Feed Ltd., Bhaluka, Mymensingh) and T
3

starter -I only.
Each of the bowls was cleaned once a day in the morning by
siphoning out one third of the water with the dirt at the bottom
before feeding. During experimental period the water
temperature ranged between 25.8-27.5
o

C. Dissolved oxygen
content ranged between 5.5-7.0mg/l; pH 7.3-7.7 (Yasmin et
al., 1998). Survival rate of the larvae were 92.25%, 94% and
16% of three treatment (T
1

,T
2

and T
3

), respectively. Survival
rate (94%) of the larvae fed mixed feed (tubificid worms +
starter -I) was similar to those fed only live feed (tubificid
worms) and significantly better than those reared only on
artificial feed (Yasmin et al., 1998). They also found that larvae
fed starter -I only showed very poor growth and survival. In
rearing the fry of C. batrachus in aquaria using supplemental
feed during the first four weeks of life with live Artemia salina
nauplii, zooplankton in live and frozen forms and with artificial
feed, live Artemia salina nauplii was proved the best (Bairage
et al., 1988). Alam and Mollah (1988) reported C. batrachus
larvae fed on live fed (Tubifex sp.) exhibiting significantly
superior growth than artificial feeds. However, the survival
rate (80.2%) obtained with artificial feed containing 56% fish
meal, 19% baker’syeast and 14% wheat flour was comparable
to those feed on Tubifex sp. (91.5%). It is clear from the result
of present study and the discussion made so far that C.
batrachus larvae can be reared successfully with live feed
while artificial feeds give poor growth and very fluctuating
survival rates as described by the other authors.
Mollah (1987) and Mollah and Nurullah (1988) reported that
C. batrachus larvae were successfully reared with live feed
(Tubifex sp.). But there are several unavoidable problems
associated with natural live food organisms. Availability of
live food organisms depends on environmental factor, as a
result they have not been found round the year and their
collection from natural habitat is laborious, unpredictable as
well as time consuming (Saha et al., 1998b). The lower
survivability described by several authors might be due to
the microbial infection. So, in the present study antibiotics
and vitamins used for treating the fry during nursery period
of 2 weeks as bathe and feeding with some sorts of food kept
for 30 minutes in tray, prevented the fry from microbial
infection. The dose of the medicine with food mixture was
same for all the trials. It was evident from the survival rate of
the present study that Clarias fry may be very susceptible to
the microbial infection from the post-larval stages to juvenile.
So, use of medicine during the nursery period gave the
tremendous result of almost without mortality, which may be
a suitable practice for nursery owner of catfish fry.
The exact etiology of the unexpected high mortality of larvae
at higher stocking densities were not known. However, it
might be due to the bacterial infection as the live Tubifex
were collected from different drains, where there is a
possibility of disease producing bacterial contamination. The
dead fish as observed, showed tail, fin and/or barbell rot
(Haque et al., 1993). The first occurs around the completion
of yolk absorption and mouth opening, when the transition
from endogenous to exogenous nutrition occurs (Guoxiong,
1997). The fry may die because of congenital deficiencies
and unsuitable diets. The second occurs at the stage of dorsal
and anal fin primordia. The third occurs at metamorphosis
from late fry to juvenile, when cannibalism will occur in
carnivorous species (Xu and Zheng, 1987; Pai and Li, 1992).
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