ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to evaluate assessment of egg hatchability and

spawn survival of Deccan mahseer, tor khudree (Sykes, 1839). The fertilized eggs of Tor

khudree size ranging from 2.5 mm to 2.7 mm were reared in 500 L FRP tank with the

rectangular floating plastic trays (31.5 x 23 x 10.5 cm). The eggs were kept to the different

treatment at a rate of 100 (Exp.-I) and 120 (Exp.-I) no. tray-1. Both the experiments were

carried out for a period of 10 days each. Both the experiments were conducted as per the

Completely Randomized Design with six treatments having four replications.

Experiment I was carried out to determine the optimum water hardness level for

incubation and egg hatching of Deccan mahseer, Tor khudree. The fertilized eggs were

reared with six different water hardness treatments such as T0 (25 mg L-1), T1 (75 mg L-1), T2

(125 mg L-1), T3 (175 mg L-1), T4 (225 mg L-1) and T5 (275 mg L-1). Among the treatments,

treatment T1 (75 mg L-1) showed significantly better growth performance of egg diameter

(3.44 ± 0.07 mm), incubation period (49 ± 0.71 h), length of spawn (14.13 ± 0.24 mm) and

fertilization rate (86.5 ± 4.44 %). Significant difference was observed in egg diameter,

incubation period, length of spawn and post-hatch survival. The similar higher hatching rate

(98.57 ± 0.22 %) and (98.56 ± 0.69 %) and post-hatch survival rate (80.21 ± 1.42%) and

(80.21 ± 3.22) observed in treatment T1 (75 mg L-1) and T2 (125 mg L-1). No significant

difference was observed in fertilization rate and hatching rate.

Experiment II, was carried out to determine the optimum range of pH for egg

incubation and hatching of Deccan mahseer, Tor khudree. The fertilized eggs were reared

with six different water pH treatments such as T0 (6-pH), T1 (6.5-pH), T2 (7-pH), T3 (7.5-pH),

T4 (8- pH) and T5 (8.5-pH). Higher egg diameter (3.2 ± 0.68 mm), incubation period (49 ±

0.41 h), length of spawn (12.15 ± 0.33 mm), fertilization rate (94.75 ± 0.85 %) and post-

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hatch survival rate (88.75 ± 2.02 %) were observed in treatment T4 (8- pH). Significant

difference was observed in egg diameter, incubation period, length of spawn, fertilization rate

and post-hatch survival rate. Similar hatching rate (99.5 ± 0.29) was observed in treatment T3

(7.5-pH), T4 (8- pH) and T5 (8.5-pH). The study indicated that the water hardness of 75 mg L-
1
is a suitable water hardness level for the egg diameter (after water absorption), incubation

period, spawn length gain and fertilization rate of Tor khudree. Similariley, water pH level

was found suitable for egg diameter (after water absorption), incubation period and

fertilization rate, post-hatch survival rate and spawn length gain. The pH ranging from 7.5 to

8.5 was found more suitable for hatching of Tor khudree eggs.

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