Effect on Different Water Sources on Breeding Performance, Embryonic Stages and Larval Development of Striped Catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878)

Striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus is second largest fish species widely cultured in freshwater aquaculture after Indian major carps in the country. Seed availability is the main scarcity in the most of the states in India due to different environmental factors and water resources. To address the problem, an experiment was conducted to study on embryonic developmental stages and larval survival of striped catfish with different water sources. Fish breeding was conducted using borewell, canal and pond water to observe the developmental stages of embryo and post hatching of larvae. All the water quality parameters were assessed namely, pH (7.74-8.16), alkalinity (102.44-112.33 mg l-1) and dissolved oxygen (5.02-5.85 mg l -1) and temperature (27.0 -28.5 o C) were observed optimum during the breeding cycle. The total hardness levels in borewell (T1), canal (T2) and pond water (T3) were observed at 240.50±20.2 mg l-1, 122.53±12.22 mg l-1 and 145.23±14.22 mg l-1, respectively. Significant difference (P<0.05) in fertilization, hatching and survival rate was observed among the water sources. The incubation period was maximum (18-22 h) in borewell water and minimum (16-18 h) in canal water. Embryonic development (Morula, Blastula, Gastrula stages) was faster in pond water than borewell water. Yolk sac absorbed earlier (2.5 dph) in pond water than canal and borewell water (3.2 dph). The total length of newly-hatched larvae was 6.46±0.15 mm, 5.83±0.18 mm, 4.92±0.2 mm at pond water, canal and borewell water, respectively. Larval survival was recorded highest (90%) in pond water followed by Canal water (82.5%) and borewell water (66.94%). It was concluded that pond and canal waters are ideal for breeding of striped catfish and better hatching and survival of larvae.