Effect on Breeding Performance and Egg Quality of Clarias batrachus (Linn.) at Various Doses of Ovatide During Spawning Induction

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate Ovatide doses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ml·kg body weight of female) on breeding performance and egg quality of Clarias batrachus. The breeding performance was judged on the basis of the total weight of stripped eggs, spawning fecundity and stripping response. To judge the egg quality, the per cent fertilization, hatching, deformity and normal larvae were considered. The results indicated that the total weight of stripped eggs and spawning fecundity were the highest (p < 0.05) when females were injected 1 ml of Ovatide per kg body weight (BW) compared to those injected with other dose levels. The lowest stripping response was observed with injection of 0.5 ml Ovatide per kg BW. There was difficulty in stripping at 0.5, 1.5 and 2.0 ml doses, but at 1 ml dose, it was smooth. At the 1 ml dose, the percentages of fertilization and hatching were 83 and 71 % respectively, which were the highest (p < 0.05) among all treatments. Increasing Ovatide doses above 1 ml led to over ripening of ova, which resulted in increased per cent deformed larvae. More normal larvae were produced from the females when injected the 1 ml dose. One ml of Ovatide per kg body weight was found optimum for best breeding performance and egg quality in C. batrachus.