© Rahul Ranjan

A
BIOLOGY OF
F CULTIVATED FISH
U SPECIES
Morphological characters

Feeding habits

Growth rate and

Reproductive behavior

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 BIOLOGY OF CULTIVATED

© Rahul Ranjan
SPECIES
A • Large number of fishes (fish??) cultivated globally
F • Around 600 aquatic species raised in captivity

U
• In 190 countries

• The most widely cultured are Common carp and Nile tilapia

• Number of fish species in Nepal- 252

• Indigenous- 236

• Exotic- 16

• Excluding the ornamental fishes

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 BIOLOGY OF CULTIVATED FISH

© Rahul Ranjan
SPECIES…
A • Large variety of suitable indigenous species available

F • Some exotic species also introduced

• The culture value varies considerably depending on the forementioned

U characteristics

• Various groups of fish under culture:

• Carps

• Catfishes

• Tilapia

• Trout etc.

• A number of species under investigation for culture suitability

Fisheries Program, FAVF
 IMPORTANT INDIGENOUS

© Rahul Ranjan
FISH SPECIES
A SN
1.
2.
Scientific name
Labeo rohita
Labeo calbasu
Local name
Rohu
Kalbasu
Status
Well established for WW
Breeding success, few private farms

F 3. Bangana dero Gardi Breeding success @ research station

WW- Warm water; CW- Cold water; NC- Not in culture

4. Cirrhinus mrigala Mrigal/ Naini Well established for WW
5. Cirrhinus reba Reba Potential species, NC

U 6.
7.
Labeo catla
Tor putitora
Catla/ Bhakur
Mahseer/ Sahar
Well established for WW
Limited culture, CW/WW
8. Tor tor Sahar Confined to research station, CW
9. Schizothorax plagiostomus Buche asala Confined to research station, CW
10. Neolissocheilus hexagonolepis Katle Confined to research station, CW
11. Bagarius yarellii Goonch Under domestication
12. Clupisoma garua Jalkapoor Potential species, NC
13. Wallago attu Buari Potential species, NC
14. Clarias batrachus/ magur Mangur Breeding success @ research station
15. Heteropneustes fossilis Singhi Breeding success @ research station

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 CULTURED EXOTIC FISH SPECIES IN

© Rahul Ranjan
NEPAL
A SN
1.
Scientific name
Cyprinus carpio
Common name
Common carp
Status
Well established in WW

F
- Var. communis - German carp
- Var. specularis - Mirror carp
2. Ctenopharyngodon idella Grass carp Well established in WW

U
3. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Silver carp Well established in WW
4. Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Bighead carp Well established in WW
5. Oreochromis niloticus Nile tilapia Limited culture in WW
6. Oreochromis mossambicus Tilapia Unauthorized introduction, WW
7. Barbonymus gonionotus Silver barb Confined to Govt. farm & RS
8. Carassius auratus Gold fish Decorative value
9. Clarias gariepinus African catfish Illegal, cultured in WW
10. Oncorhynchus mykiss Rainbow trout Well established in CW
11. Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Pangas catfish Established in WW, Breeding!!
12. Macrobrachium rosenbergii Fresh water prawn Confined to RS

WW- warm water; CW- Cold water; RS- Research station

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 CULTURED SPECIES IN NEPAL

© Rahul Ranjan
A SN
1.
Scientific name
Labeo rohita
Common name
Rohu

F 2.
3.
Cirrhinus mrigala
Catla catla
Mrigal
Catla
4. Tor putitora Sahar

U 5.
6.
Cyprinus carpio
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Common carp
Silver carp
7. Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Bighead carp
8. Ctenopharyngodon idella Grass carp
9. Oreochromis niloticus Nile tilapia
10. Clarias gariepinus African catfish
11. Pangasianodon hypophthalamus Striped catfish
12. Barbonymus gonionotus Silver barb
13. Macrobrachium rosenbergii Freshwater prawn
14. Oncorhynchus mykiss Rainbow trout

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 ROHU (LABEO ROHITA)

© Rahul Ranjan
A • Morphology • Habitat

F • Elongated and streamlined body

• Small and pointed head

• Occupies middle column layer

• Feeding behavior

U
• Sub-terminal mouth

• Lips thick and fringed • Column feeder

• 1 pair of barbels concealed under • Feeds on plant matter
labial fold including decaying vegetation
• Scales light red in color
• Feed include planktonic and
• Distribution
filamentous algae,
• Tropical freshwaters of India, Nepal,
periphytons, rotting
Pakistan & Myanmar
vegetation, detritus etc.
• Also cultured in Sri Lanka, Malaysia,
Japan and Thailand

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 ROHU (LABEO ROHITA)

© Rahul Ranjan
A • Growth slow in 1 year- upto 900 g.
st

F • Largest size: 1 m and 30 kg

U • Sexual maturity- end of 2 year nd

• Seasonal breeder
• Breeds when water temperature reaches 25-30°C

• June to August (जेष्ठ- श्रावण)

• Hypophysation necessary

• Fecundity- 2 to 4 lakhs
Fisheries Program, FAVF
 MRIGAL (CIRRHINUS

© Rahul Ranjan
MRIGALA)
A • Morphology • Habitat

F • Body narrow and linear

• Head small and snout blunt

• Occupies bottom zone

U
• Feeding habit
• Sub- terminal mouth
• Bottom feeder, Omnivorous
• Lips thin and non fringed
• Feeds on detritus, mud
• 1 pair of maxillary barbels
• Body bright silvery in color organisms, decaying plant

• Distribution and animal matter

• Same as Rohu • Consumes a lot of decaying

organic and vegetable
matter.

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 MRIGAL (CIRRHINUS

© Rahul Ranjan
MRIGALA)
A • Grows slower than Catla and Rohu
F • Largest size- 90 cm and 30 kg
U • Sexual maturity- end of 2 yearnd

• Seasonal breeder
• Breeds when water temperature reaches 25-30°C

• June to August (जेष्ठ- श्रावण)

• Hypophysation necessary

• 1.5 to 3 lakhs
Fisheries Program, FAVF
 CATLA (CATLA CATLA)

© Rahul Ranjan
A • Morphology • Habitat
F • Deep bodied
• Pelagic
• Head large
U • Mouth large and upturned • Feeding habit
• Lips non fringed, no barbels • Surface feeder
• Body grayish to silvery • Zooplankton feeder
• Distribution
• India, Nepal, Pakistan, &
Myanmar

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 CATLA (CATLA CATLA)

© Rahul Ranjan
A • Long and dense gill rakers for the filtration of zooplankton from water

F • Grows upto 1 to 1.5 kg in 1st year

• Largest size- 1.5 m and 45 kg

U • Sexual maturity- end of 2nd year

• Seasonal breeder
• Breeds when water temperature reaches 26-28°C

• June to August (जेष्ठ- श्रावण)

• Hypophysation necessary

• 1 to 2.5 lakhs

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 SAHAR (TOR PUTITORA)

© Rahul Ranjan
A • Morphology • Habitat

F • Body semi round and slightly

flattened along ventral surface from
• Column as well as surface
mouth to anus

U
• Feeding habit
• Sudden tapering just after anal region
• Omnivorous
• Eyes are large, round and situated
more toward the dorsal surface • Feed on insects and fry of
• 2 pairs of barbels fish
• Scales large sized
• Feed mainly on drifting
• Greenish and orange colored fish
and terrestrial insects
• Distribution
• India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan,
• As they grow, become
Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar increasingly piscivorous

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 SAHAR (TOR PUTITORA)

© Rahul Ranjan
A • Slow growth- upto 400 g in 1st year

F • Reaches 1 kg in 2nd and 3 kg in 3rd year

U • Grows faster as it ages

• Sexual maturity- 2nd year

• Seasonal breeder
• Breeds when water temperature reaches 19-28°C

• March to April (फाल्गुण-चैत्र) and September to October (भाद्र-

असोज)
• Fecundity- 2 to 10 thousands
Fisheries Program, FAVF
 COMMON CARP (CYPRINUS

© Rahul Ranjan
CARPIO)
A • Morphology • Habitat

F • Body deep and head short

• Scales large
• Benthic region

U • Terminal and protractile mouth

• 2 pairs of maxillary barbels

• Feeding behavior
• Bottom feeder,
• Dorsal fin long with sharp spine
omnivorous
• Distribution
• Feeds on insect larvae,
• Native of China and Russia
worms, mollusks and also
• Also Europe

• Introduced in many countries submerged plants

• Introduced to Nepal in 1956 (India) • Mainly feeds on natural
and 1960 (Israel)
food that mrigal avoids
Fisheries Program, FAVF
 COMMON CARP (CYPRINUS

© Rahul Ranjan
CARPIO)
A • Two varieties found

F • German carp (C. carpio communis) and

• Mirror carp (C. carpio specularis)

U
• Mirror carp grows faster (2-3 kg in 1st year) compared to Scale carp (1-2 kg in 1st year)
• May reach upto 18 kg and 50 cm

• Sexual maturity- 1st year

• Multiple breeder
• May breed upto 5 times a year when water temperature reaches 20-25°C

• March to April (फाल्गुण-चैत्र) and September to October (भाद्र- असोज)

• Peak breeding season in Nepal is March/ April in terai and April/ May in hills of Nepal

• 1 to 2 lakhs

• Breeds easily in pond if provided with some substrate for egg attachment

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 SILVER CARP (HYPOPHTHALMICHTHYS

© Rahul Ranjan
MOLITRIX)
A • Morphology • Habitat

F • Small silvery scale

• Flat and laterally compressed body

• Occupies surface layer

U • Head small, mouth upturned • Feeding habit

• Abdominal keel complete • Surface feeder
• The posterior margin of pectoral
• Filters phytoplankton
fin does not reach the pelvic fin
from water to feed upon
• Distribution
• Gills rakers dense,
• Native to China

• Introduced in many countries interlaced, connected and

• Introduced in Nepal in 1967 (India) covered with a spongy
and 1968 (Japan) sieve membrane

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 SILVER CARP (HYPOPHTHALMICHTHYS

© Rahul Ranjan
MOLITRIX)
A • Grows upto 1-2 kg in 1st year

F • May reach upto 40-50 kg

• Sexual maturity- 2-3 year

U • Seasonal breeder
• Breed when water temperature reaches 22-28°C

• April to July (चैत्र- मध्य असार)

• 60- 80 thousands

• Hypophysation necessary

• Stress intolerant, highly nervous and active fish during handling

• Poor handling may lead to high mortality too.

Fisheries Program, FAVF
 BIGHEAD CARP (HYPOPHTHALMICHTHYS

© Rahul Ranjan
NOBILIS)
A • Morphology
• Habitat
F • Body flat, laterally compressed

• Small silvery scales with brownish

above
• Pelagic, occupies

U
surface layer
• Head long and massive

• Barbels absent, mouth upturned • Feeding habit

• Abdominal keel incomplete

• Posterior margin of pectoral fin extends

• Surface feeder
beyond the base of the pelvic fin.
• Mainly feeds on
• Distribution
zooplankton
• Native to China

• Introduced to Nepal in 1969 (America) • Have long dense gill

and 1972 (Hungary)
rakers for filter feeding

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 BIGHEAD CARP (HYPOPHTHALMICHTHYS

© Rahul Ranjan
NOBILIS)
A • Grows upto 1-2 kg in 1st year

F • May reach upto 40-50 kg

• Sexual maturity- 2-3 year

U • Seasonal breeder
• Breed when water temperature reaches 24-28°C

• May to July (बैशाख- असार)

• 50- 60 thousands

• Hypophysation necessary

• Docile and hardy for handling and transportation compared to silver

carp.
Fisheries Program, FAVF
 GRASS CARP (CTENOPHARYNGODON

© Rahul Ranjan
IDELLA)
A • Morphology • Habitat

F • Body elongated and cylindrical

• Large, greenish scales

• Margins and bottom of the
pond

U • Head broad, barbels absent

• Mouth sub-terminal, upper jaw

• Feeding habit
• Wide variety of aquatic macro-
slightly longer than lower
vegetation including some
• Well developed pharyngeal teeth
terrestrial plants
• Distribution
• Biological controlling agent of
• Amur river of China and Russia
aquatic weeds
• Introduced in many countries
• Voracious feeder, may consume
• Introduced to Nepal in 1967
upto 50-60% of its body weight
(India) and 1968 (Japan).
daily

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 GRASS CARP (CTENOPHARYNGODON

© Rahul Ranjan
IDELLA)
A • Digestion is incomplete and about half of the food material consumed

F is excreted as feces.

• Also known as ‘living green manuring machine’.

U • Grows upto 1-2 kg in 1st year

• May reach upto 1.5 m and 50 kg

• Sexual maturity- 2 to 3 years

• Seasonal breeder
• Breeds when water temperature is 22-27°C

• April/ May (फाल्गुण- मध्य बैशाख)

• Hypophysation necessary
Fisheries Program, FAVF
 NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS

© Rahul Ranjan
NILOTICUS)
A • Morphology • Habitat

F • Body laterally compressed

• Long spiny dorsal fin

• Utilizes all niches of water

U
• Feeding habit
• Interrupted lateral line

• Distinct black stripes on the body • Omnivorous

and tail. • Prefers vegetable food
• Distribution primarily phytoplankton
• Northern and Central African • Also accepts crustaceans,
river systems
insects, chironomids,
• Distributed throughout world
detritus and formulated
• Introduced in Nepal in 1985 from
feed
Thailand
Fisheries Program, FAVF
 NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS

© Rahul Ranjan
NILOTICUS)
A • Also known as ‘Aquatic chicken’

F • Prolific breeder. Considerable plasticity in age and size of sexual

maturity.

U • May start spawning at age of 2-6 months and size of less than 20 g.

• Mouth brooder. May produce several hundred to 200 eggs per batch.

• May breed 3-4 times. Water temperature above 20°C.

• March- October (फाल्गुण-असोज)

• Require approximately 1 month on an average to complete 1

reproductive cycle.

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS

© Rahul Ranjan
NILOTICUS)
A • Female keeps egg in mouth and

F incubates for 3-5 days before hatching.

• Protects fry from predators, keeping in

U
mouth for additional 5-7 days.

• Female does not eat during this period.

• Growth of female lower than males.

• Monosex male culture is preferred.

• Monosex produced using 17 α-

Methyltestosterone.
• Fed for 21 days after absorption of
yolk sac.
• 60 mg/ kg feed

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 SILVER BARB (BARBONYMUS

© Rahul Ranjan
GONIONOTUS)
A • Morphology • Habitat

F • Flat, laterally compressed

• Covered with large silvery scales

(golden tint may be present)
• Warm water, Column feeder

• Feeding habit
U • Head small and pointed

• Barbels very minute

• Herbivorous

• Few tubercles may be present on snout • Feeds on both plant animal

• Distribution matter
• Also known as Java barb. • Phytoplankton,
• Vietnam, Thailand, Java, Sumatra,
zooplankton, filamentous
and Borneo
algae, higher plant materials
• Introduced to Nepal in 1991 from
Bangladesh. and detritus

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 SILVER BARB (BARBONYMUS

© Rahul Ranjan
GONIONOTUS)
A • May reach upto 500 g in first year
F • May reach upto 40 cm and 1.5 kg in pond condition
U • Sexual maturity attained at the end of first year.
• Potential year-round spawner in tropical climate.

• In hatcheries, breeding done mainly in rainy season.

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS

© Rahul Ranjan
GARIEPINUS)
A • Morphology • Distribution

F • Long, cylindrical body

• Flat bony head and broad

• Lakes, rivers and swamps of Africa
and Middle East

U
• Unauthorized introduction to Nepal
terminal mouth
in 1990 from India.
• Four pairs of barbels
• Habitat
• Usually dark grey or coloration
• Mainly nocturnal and inhabits the
on dorsal and fading to white
bottom of pond
belly
• May survive in poor water
• Dorsal and anal fins long and
• May live on land too with the help of
without spine
accessory respiratory organ
• Pectoral fin has spine • Able to survive in shallow mud for
• Caudal fin rounded long periods of time

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS

© Rahul Ranjan
GARIEPINUS)
A • Feeding habit

F • Carnivorous
• Should not be cultured with other species

U
• Feeds on living, as well as dead, animal matter.

• Able to swallow relatively large prey due to wide mouth.

• May feed on both plant and animal matter.

• Accepts formulated fish easily.

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS

© Rahul Ranjan
GARIEPINUS)
A • Air breathing using labyrinthine organ (rosette or air tree)

F • Growth in first year- 1.5 to 2 kg

• May attain 20-30 kg

U • Docile and hardy fish for transportation.

• Seasonal breeder

• Matured in 1-2 years

• Artificial breeding by hypophysation

• Breeding season- May to July (बैशाख- असार)

• Temperature 25-30°C

• Cannibalism after fry stage

Fisheries Program, FAVF
 PANGAS CATFISH (PANGASIANODON

© Rahul Ranjan
HYPOPHTHALAMUS)
A • Morphology • Distribution

F • Long, laterally flattened

• No scales, light grey on dorsal and

white on underside
• Rivers of South-east Asia

• Mekong river delta

U • Head small, mouth broad with small

sharp teeth on jaw, vomerine and
• Habitat

palatal bones • Prefer large and deep water

• Eyes large bodies
• 2 pairs of barbels, upper one shorter
• Utilizes all niches in pond
than lower
• Fins dark grey
• Monoculture is preferred,

• Spines on dorsal and pectoral fins however can be

• Adipose fin present polycultured with other
• Long anal fin species.
Fisheries Program, FAVF
 PANGAS CATFISH (PANGASIANODON

© Rahul Ranjan
HYPOPHTHALAMUS)
A • Grows better in temperature range of 25-30°C
F • Sexual maturity in 2-3 years
U • Artificial breeding by hypophysation
• Seasonal breeder
• Temperature- 25-28°C

• April to July

• 80,000 eggs/kg

• Cannibalism- main problem after hatching

Fisheries Program, FAVF
 RAINBOW TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS

© Rahul Ranjan
MYKISS)
A • Morphology • Distribution

F • Elongated body, laterally

compressed
• Native to USA

• Farmed globally in cold

U
• Rounded snout
water
• Upper side of head is blue-green,
yellow-green or almost brown • Introduced first time to

• Sides silvery with bright pink flush Nepal in 1988 from Japan
to red band • Habitat
• Many black spots
• Cold water
• Underside silvery
• Salmon family
• Dorsal and caudal fins have
radiating rows of black spots • Cultured in raceways in

• Adipose fin present Nepal

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 RAINBOW TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS

© Rahul Ranjan
MYKISS)
A • Feeding habit

F • Highly carnivorous

• Feeds on animal matter like insects, mollusks, fish eggs and small fish

U • Require high protein in diet for proper growth

• Protein from animal source is necessary

• May reach upto 200-300 g in first year in Nepal

• Breeding habit
• Sexual maturity in 3-4 years

• Artificial breeding

• November to January (मंसिर- माघ)

• Water temperature: 9-12°C

• 3-10 eggs per gram of body weight

Fisheries Program, FAVF
 FRESHWATER PRAWN (MACROBRACHIUM

© Rahul Ranjan
ROSENBERGII)
A • Morphology • Distribution

F •

•
Crustacean- Shellfish- Prawn
Greenish to brownish grey
• May be bluish or darker
• Tropical and subtropical areas
of the Indo-Pacific region,

U •

•
Hard exoskeleton over segmented body
Five pairs of legs on main part of the body
• Plus 5 pairs of swimmerets on the
from India to Southeast Asia
and Northern Australia.

abdomen • Also known as giant river

• Stalked eye and 2 pairs of antennae prawn
• Males larger than females (sexes
• Feeding habit
distinguishable)
• Second pair of legs or claws larger in • Omnivorous and bottom
males feeder
• Males may reach upto 32 cm and females
• Feeds on mainly plant matter
upto 25 cm

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 FRESHWATER PRAWN (MACROBRACHIUM

© Rahul Ranjan
ROSENBERGII)
A • Grows upto 20 g in 1 year

F • Sexual maturity- 6 months

U • May mature and breed year-round except cold months

• Larvae reared in artificial hatcheries and fed with artemia

• Larval stage requires brackish water (10-15 ppt) to survive

• Larvae undergo 11 distinct stages before metamorphosis to

postlarvae (PL)
• Postlarvae can swim and move in same way as adult.

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 SOME INDIGENOUS SPECIES

© Rahul Ranjan
A • Snakehead (Channa spp.)

F • Barbs (Puntius and Pethia spp.)

U • Helicopter catfish (Wallago attu)

• Bronze featherback (Notopterus notopterus)

• Singhi (Heteropneustes fossilis)

• Bengal danio (Danio devario)

• Zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio)

• Dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius) etc.

Fisheries Program, FAVF
 FISH IDENTIFICATION STEPS

© Rahul Ranjan
A Sample

F Finfish Shellfish

U Crustacean Mollusk

Freshwater prawn
(Macrobrachium Globose structure Bivalve structure
rosenbergii)

Large sized Small sized Freshwater

Flat apex Pointed apex mussel (Unio sp.)

Ghunghi
Apple snail (Pila
(Bellamya
globossa)
bengalensis)

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 IDENTIFICATION STEPS

© Rahul Ranjan
A
F Finfish

U
Minute
Scaleless Large scales
scales

Silver/
Bighead carp Other carps/
Catfish
or Rainbow Tilapia
trout

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 CATFISH

© Rahul Ranjan
A Catfish

F Scaleless

U Adipose fin present

Small dorsal fin
Adipose fin absent
Long dorsal fin
Small head Large head
Deep bodied Flattened head

Pangas catfish
African catfish
(Pangasianodon
(Clarias gariepinus)
hypophthalamus)

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 MINUTE SCALED FISHES

© Rahul Ranjan
A Minute scaled fish

F Deep bodied Narrow bodied

U
Silver colored Spots on body
No adipose fin Adipose fin
Superior mouth Terminal mouth
Abdominal keel No abdominal keel

Head massive Comparatively small head Rainbow trout

Pectoral fin extends beyond Pectoral fin does not overlap (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
base of pelvic fin pelvic fin
Incomplete abdominal keel Complete abdominal keel

Bighead carp Silver carp

(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 LARGE SCALED FISH

© Rahul Ranjan
A Large scaled fish

F
U Body structure

Narrow/ Streamlined body Deep bodied

Rohu
Catla
Mrigal
Common carp
Sahar
Nile tilapia
Grass carp

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 NARROW BODY

© Rahul Ranjan
A Narrow body

F Mouth

U Thick and fringed Protrusible mouth

lips Thin lips 2 pairs of barbels
Barbels concealed Long head

1 pair of barbels No barbels

Rohu Sahar
Head conical Head flat
(Labeo rohita) (Tor putitora)
Silver colored Green colored

Grass carp
Mrigal
(Ctenophrayngodon
(Cirrhinus mrigala)
idella)

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 DEEP BODY

© Rahul Ranjan
A Deep body

F Dorsal fin

U
Short dorsal fin
Long dorsal fin
Superior mouth

Less spines in dorsal

Catla Spiny dorsal fin
fin
(Catla catla) Interrupted lateral line
Complete lateral line

Nile tilapia
Common carp
(Oreochromis
(Cyprinus carpio)
niloticus)

Fisheries Program, FAVF

 THANK YOU

© Rahul Ranjan
A
F End of
U Unit 2

Next Lecture on

Water Quality Management

Fisheries Program, FAVF