Culture Fishery

This is the fastest growing carp in India. The adult fish and advanced fingerlings are distinguished by deep body with a conspicuous head, large upturned mouth, non-fringed lips, devoid of barbels and a broad dorsal fin with 14 to 16 branched rays. The body is ordinarily dull, silver white, but tends to be rather darkish in weedy waters.

Catla is reported to grow very quick, even 7.5 to 10 cm.per month. In normally stocked waters a growth of 37 to 45 cm.in the first year can ordinarily be expected. Catla grows to over 1.5 metre in length. The fish in the second year attain sexual maturity and are ready to breed in the third season after hatching.

Labeo rohita (Rohu)

Rohu is considered tastiest of the Indian carps. It is easily distinguished by its relatively small or pointed head, almost terminal mouth with fringed lower lip, dull reddish scales on the sides and pink reddish fins. The dorsal fin has 12 to 13 branched rays. The body is more linear than that of Catla.

Rohu grows quickly, though relatively slower than cattla. A growth of 35 to 40 cm.can normally be expected in the first year in a well stocked pond. Sexual maturity is attained towards the end of the second year. Rohu grows to over 1 metre in length.

Next in importance to catla and rohu for cultural purpose is the mrigal. It is easily distinguished by the relatively linear body, small head with rather blunt snout, terminal mouth with thin nonfringed lips, bright silvery body and reddish fins. The dorsal fin has 12 to 13 branched rays.

Mrigal grows slower than catla or rohu. The species attains a maximum length of over 0.75 metre. It becomes sexually matured in the second year.

The species is suitable for cultivation in confined waters. Body oblong, moderately compressed. Width of head equal to its length without snout. Mouth narrow obtuse; lips thick and fringed, each with a distinct inner fold. Two pairs of barbels. Origin of dorsal fin mid way between snout and base of caudal, which is deeply forked. Colour of the body slate black, scales sometimes with a scarlet centre, eyes red in colour. Maximum length about 90 cm.

The common carp (Bankok strain) has been found to adapt to these warm waters and grow satisfactorily. It reaches sexual maturity on attaining 35 to 40 cm.in length and 1 to 1.5 kg. Weight in the first year of its life. The fish unlike Indian major carps breed in ponds almost throughout the year with a peak period from January to April.

Rostrum long with distinct elevated crest, 1-3 teeth on carapace. 12-13 teeth on dorsal and 11-13 teeth on the ventral side of the rostrum. Chelipeds equal. Spines strong, short widely separated, eyes not pigmented. Grows up to 30 cm.and the male grows faster than females after first year. Omnivorous in feeding habits with cannibalistic tendency. Breed easily in captivity at 130 mm.size and have prolonged breeding season. Fecundity-7000 to 1,00,000.

It is the second biggest fresh water prawn. 9-11 teeth on dorsal rostrum, straight, project beyond antennular peduncle and 5-7 teeth in ventral side of rostrum. Spines not sharp, closely arranged. Grows up to 20 cm.and the male grows faster than female. Omnivorous in feeding habits with occasional cannibalistic tendency. Breed easily in captivity and berried females were observed at 40-50 mm.size.Fecundity.3400 to 68,000.

Identification of Fries of Culturable Species

Head conspicuously large from 11.2 mm.and broad from 17.8 mm.stage. No barbels, reddish colour of gills visible through transparent opercular flaps.

--Catla catla

Head of normal size and shape

3 or 4 black spots on caudal penduncle enclosing a white space. Lips fringed, colour generally greyish, a yellowish spot at the front part of base of dorsal fin and a yellowish band at the nape, barbels black.

--Labeo calbasu

Head of normal size and shape

Spots on caudal peduncle not enclosing a whitish area lips fringed, body without longitudinal bands, fins marked with vermillion red.

--Labeo rohita

Margin of the lips rather, whitish, a diamond shaped black blotch at the caudal peduncle.

--Cirrhina mrigala

FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF CULTURABLE SPECIES

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