Successful captive breeding of the threatened fish, 'Indigo barb'

18th September 2023, Goa

The 'Indigo barb' (Pethia setnai) is a small indigenous fish found in West-flowing streams in Goa and Karnataka states. It is traded in the international ornamental fish trade but is threatened by unregulated aquarium trade and habitat pressure from tourism, urbanization, and pollution. Captive breeding and popularization are strategies to conserve and reduce dependence on wild collection.

The captive breeding technology was developed by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, and the ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa.

The species was bred in captivity with and without hormone induction in indoor and outdoor systems, and the larvae were developed in mixed zooplankton culture. The package of practices for the seed production of the Indigo barb developed will provide alternative livelihood opportunities to the local communities in Goa and eventually to other regions of the country.

The seeds produced at the hatchery of KUFOS were handed over to Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, by Prof. Daisy C. Kappan, Director of Extension, and the Registrar-in-Charge of KUFOS.

Dr. Parveen Kumar mentioned that the research collaboration with KUFOS will be helpful in developing fisheries technologies to cater to the needs of the farmers/fishermen along the coastal region of India.

(Source: ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa)