FAO FISHERIES TECHNICAL PAPER     201   FIR/T201

Cover page
The artificial propagation of warm-water finfishes
A manual for extension

CONTENTS


by
E. Woynarovich
Scientific Adviser
Fish Culture Research Institute
Szarvas, Hungary

L. Horváth
Chief Biologist
Warm-water Fish Hatchery
Szazhalombatta, Hungary


First printing 1980
Second printing 1982
Third printing 1984


The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.


M-44
ISBN 92-5-100999-6


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PREPARATION OF THIS DOCUMENT

This document has been prepared within the framework of the Regular Programme activities of the FAO Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Service of the Fishery Resources and Environment Division. Its primary objective is to provide assistance to extension personnel and to other field personnel engaged in fish culture activities eventually making it possible to substantially increase fish production through their cultivation.

This manual deals with artificial and semi-artificial propagation and rearing of fry of warm-water finfishes cultivated in freshwaters. All those techniques developed in the laboratory, but yet to be proved in the field on a commercial scale, have been excluded. Similarly, fish species of local importance only and those whose propagation techniques are similar to those of the species dealt with here have also been excluded. Both the earlier non-sophisticated methods as well as modern techniques have been described, since the necessary facilities required for applying modern technology may not be available to all readers.

The original manuscript was prepared by Dr. E. Woynarovich and by Dr. L. Horváth, in Hungary. The text was revised by Prof. H.P.C. Shetty in India and finally edited in Rome by Mr P.C. Choudhury. The original figures were reviewed by Dr A.G. Coche and by Mr C. Nugent in FAO, Rome, before being finally edited by P.C. Choudhury also.

Distribution:For bibliographic purposes this document should be cited as follows:
FAO Fisheries Department
FAO Regional Fisheries Officers
Selector SI
Authors

Woynarovich, E. and L. Horváth, 1980 The artificial propagation of warm-water finfishes - a manual for extension. FAO Fish.Tech.Pap., (201):183 p.

ABSTRACT

This Manual deals with the artificial propagation of warmwater finfishes. Being primarily meant for the extension workers and aquaculture training institutions, it is profusely illustrated. It outlines the basic biological aspects of reproduction in fish and presents the various techniques being used for the collection of fertilized eggs, the artificial fertilization of eggs and the subsequent rearing of larvae and fry. Hatchery and nursery facilities, including equipment and tools, required to set-up a medium-size fish seed production and distribution centre are also included. The various methods of transporting fish eggs, larvae, fry and fingerlings are discussed. The methods of collection and preservation of fish pituitary glands and the dosage of pituitary extracts used for inducing successful spawning in various warmwater fishes are dealt with. Finally, artificial propagation techniques for some commercially important warmwater fishes are presented.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 1984
© FAO 1980


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CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. FISHES CULTIVATED IN WARM AND TEMPERATE FRESHWATER PONDS

3. NATURAL PROPAGATION OF FINFISH

3.1 Significance of Propagation
3.2 Biology of Propagation
      3.2.1 Age of sexual maturity
      3.2.2 Season of propagation
      3.2.3 Place of propagation
      3.2.4 Parental care
3.3 Development of the Sexual Products
      3.3.1 Development of eggs
      3.3.2 Development of sperm
3.4 Fertilized Egg
      3.4.1 Non-adhesive eggs
      3.4.2 Adhesive eggs

4. ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF FINFISH

4.1 Need for Artificial Propagation
4.2 Different Practices of Artificial Propagation
      4.2.1 Collection and rearing of fertilized eggs, larvae and fry
      4.2.2 Procurement of fertilized eggs and their rearing
      4.2.3 Artificial fertilization and subsequent rearing
4.3 Technology of Artificial Propagation
      4.3.1 Steps in artificial propagation
      4.3.2 Brood fish
      4.3.3 Inducing ovulation and/or spawning
      4.3.4 Fertilized fish egg
      4.3.5 Development and incubation of fish eggs
      4.3.6 Technology of larval rearing
      4.3.7 Technology of fry rearing

5. HATCHERY AND FISH SEED DISTRIBUTION CENTRE

5.1 General Requirements
5.2 Description of the Facilities
      5.2.1 Brood fish ponds
      5.2.2 Hatchery facilities
      5.2.3 Nursery facilities
      5.2.4 Fingerling rearing-cum-production units
5.3 Single and Multi-Species Hatcheries
5.4 Makeshift Hatchery Devices
5.5 Equipment and Tools Required
5.6 Fabrication of Equipment and Devices
      5.6.1 Home-made hatchery devices and equipment
      5.6.2 The preparation of oxygen or compressed air distributor
5.7 Manpower Requirements

6. TRANQUILLIZERS AND THEIR USE IN FISH PROPAGATION AND TRANSPORT

7. TRANSPORTATION IN FISH PROPAGATION PRACTICE

7.1 Transportation of Fish Eggs
7.2 Transportation of Larvae and Young Fry
7.3 Transportation of Fingerlings
7.4 Transportation of Brood Fish

8. COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF FISH PITUITARY GLANDS

9. PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES FOR SOME COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT WARMWATER FISHES

9.1 Propagation of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
      9.1.1 Artificially stimulated propagation
      9.1.2 Propagation by hormone treatment
9.2 Propagation of Chinese Major Carps
9.3 Propagation of Indian Major Carps
      9.3.1 Semi-artificial propagation
      9.3.2 Induced spawning by injection of fish pituitary hormones
9.4 Propagation of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
      9.4.1 Pen spawning
      9.4.2 Induced spawning by hormone treatment
9.5 Propagation of European Catfish (Silurus glanis)
      9.5.1 Induction of spawning by placing nests
      9.5.2 Induction of spawning by hypophysation
      9.5.3 Induction of ovulation and stripping
9.6 Propagation of Tench (Tinca tinca)
9.7 Propagation of Pike-Perch (Stizostedion (Lucioperca) lucioperca)
9.8 Propagation of Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy)
9.9 Propagation of Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus)

APPENDIX I      Hatchery equipment and tools
APPENDIX II    Chemicals used in fish propagation and young fish rearing operations
APPENDIX III   Summary of reproductive biology of some cultivated fishes
APPENDIX IV   Milestones in the development of the artificial propagation of finfish

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure

  1 Adaptation for the survival of the species - reproduction

  2 Spawning places of freshwater fishes

  3 Principal types of parental care in fishes

  4 General pattern of development of sexual products in fishes

  5 Environment and maturation of fish eggs

  6 The fate of developing eggs

  7 The course of natural spawning

  8 Types of finfish eggs

  9 Various techniques employed to obtain fertilized eggs and larvae for controlled incubation and/or rearing

10 The course of induced ovulation

11 Important factors in broodstock rearing

12 Acceleration of gonadal development in temperate climate by raising water temperature

13 Characteristics of breeders ready for hormone treatment

14 Nests for pond spawners, for collecting fertilized eggs with or without hormone treatment

15 Facilities for induced spawning without hormone treatment

16 Different ways of placing egg recipients (nests)

17 Spawning pens with milk can receptacles for channel catfish

18 Spawning pond for common carp: Dubisch pond

19 Preparation of pituitary gland to be used for induced breeding

20 Where and how to inject hormone

21 Requirements of hormone-injected breeders

22 Method of suturing common carp

23 Techniques of stripping

24 Equipment required for stripping and artificial fertilization

25a Artificial propagation of common carp - I

25b Artificial propagation of common carp - II

25c Artificial propagation of common carp - III

26 Procedure for handling non-sticky eggs

27 Development of the fertilized egg

28 Embryonic and larval development

29 Enemies of developing eggs

30 Treatment of fish eggs with tannin against fungal and bacterial attacks

31 Long trough and box for incubation of heavy eggs and for rearing larvae

32 Hatching trough for incubation of channel catfish eggs or other fish with sticky eggs

33 Funnel-type incubator devices

34 Plastic funnel for incubation of common carp eggs

35 Incubation of very delicate eggs - floating type

36 Fabrication of a sieve-cloth and plastic incubator (funnel type) for floating eggs

37 Revolving barrel or drum incubator

38 Breeding hapa and hatching hapa used in India

39 Spray chamber for incubation of hard eggs sticking to nests

40 Design of a Chinese-type spawning pool (dimensions in centimetres)

41 Design of a three-chambered hatching pool (dimensions in centimetres)

42 Design of a portable hatching jar used in China (dimensions in centimetres)

43a Siphoning larvae and spoiled eggs

43b Separation of freshly hatched larvae by “swimming out” technique

44 Behaviour patterns of newly hatched fish larvae

45 Larva rearing devices

46 Fabrication of larval collector and rearing funnel, immersed type

47 Common rotifers, the most important natural food of the fry

48 Common planktonic crustaceans

49 Fry nursing devices and places

50 Nursing fry in special nursing tank

51 Nursing fish fry in small earthen ponds

52 Life cycle of Ichthyophthirius

53 The main single celled animal parasites of young fish

54 The common gill-worms

55 Methods of testing chemicals to determine lethal doses and tolerance limits

56 Filters for hatchery

57 Construction of a simple filter for hatchery

58 Functioning of a simple hatchery filter

59 General lay-out of a warm-water fish hatchery

60 General lay-out of twin tanks and ward tanks in a hatchery

61 Makeshift hatchery next to a pond or reservoir

62 Fabrication of a plankton net used in pond culture operations

63 The method of fabricating a round scoop net

64 Fabrication of the shovel-type scoop net

65a Strainers for inflowing and outflowing water

65b Fabrication of small dragnet for capturing fry and fingerlings

66 Milt collectors

67 Use of oxygen for fish transportation

68 Making plastic bags for fish seed transportation

69 Packing young fish in plastic bags with oxygen

70 Transport of young fish packed in plastic bags

71a Estimating the number of fingerlings

71b Container fitted with drain pipe. Used for transporting young fish

72a Long distance transportation of brood fish

72b Devices for catching and transporting brood fish over short distances

73 The extraction of pituitary gland from fish

74 Preparation of acetone-dried pituitary glands

75 Storage of pituitary glands

76 Spreading fertilized eggs of common carp on artificial nest

77 Relationship between pituitary dosage and greatest body circumference in the female Chinese carps

78 Propagation of European catfish (Silurus glanis). Preparatory activities

79 Propagation of European catfish (Silurus glanis). Induced spawning in earthen ponds by providing nests

80 Propagation of European catfish (Silurus glanis). Induced spawning by hypophysation in small cement tanks

81 Propagation of European catfish (Silurus glanis). Inducing ovulation and stripping

82 Propagation of European catfish (Silurus glanis). Rearing of larvae and fry

83 Sexual dimorphism in Tinca tinca

84 Induced propagation of giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy)

LIST OF TABLES

Table

1 Fishes commonly cultivated in warm and temperate freshwater ponds

2 Combinations in multi-species brood stock rearing of Chinese carp

3 Time required for the development of eggs of different species