Finfish Breeding and Hatchery Management (2+1)

Unit 10 - Breeding of catfishes

10.1.4. Stripping and fertilization

• At 14-16 hours after the injection, the male sacrificed, the testes dissected out and squashed in 0.9% NaCl solution.
• This sperm suspension can remain dormant (fertile) up to 24 hours.
• After the sperm suspension is ready, the eggs are stripped onto a clean basin/tray and are immediately fertilized with the sperms (suspension)
• The developing eggs are small, adhesive and are incubated in plastid basins (12 cm diameter x 6 cm high) with running water
• Fecundity : 5,000 – 50,000 eggs/female
• Fertilization rate : 80 – 90%
• Unfertilized eggs get washed away by overflowing water
• Hatching period : 24-26 hours at 29-31⁰ C.
• Eggs are hatched in 500 l capacity plastic/FRP tanks .
• Larvae depend on yolk for 3-4 days.