FINFISH CULTURE DIVISION

PROFILE

Finfish Culture Division (FCD) is contributing towards sustainable Brackishwater aquaculture development through its research, innovation and technology dissemination in India for the last three decades to uplift the farming community of diverse economic background. This division has scientists specialized in the field of captive fish breeding, larval rearing, live feed production, nursery rearing, pond farming, cage farming, ornamental fish breeding and seed rearing of commercially important brackishwater finfishes. The FCD has State-of-Art hatchery facility with RAS (Recirculatory aquaculture system) at Muttukadu Experimental Station (MES) for year-round seed production of seabass under the Indo-French collaborative project. The presence of seven 100 tonne capacity RCC tanks caters to the captive maintenance of broodstock fishes such as seabass, milkfish, grey mullet and Red snapper. Besides, the backyard earthen pond provides additional facility to maintain the ornamental broodstock fishes such as Spotted Scat, Moonfish, and Pearlspot. In, 1997 a breakthrough in captive breeding and seed production of Asian Seabass was achieved for the first time in the country and the technology has been transferred to Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA) through consultancy in the year 2000. The indoor facility for live feed culture such as microalgae and rotifer assist the year-round fish seed production cycle at MES. Research activities of the division have successfully closed the life cycle of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), Milkfish (Chanos chanos), Pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis), Orange chromidae (Etroplus maculatus) and Silver moony (Monodactyus argenteus) in the past years and the technology is available for adoption by stakeholders. A unique, modular breeding system for Pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) has been designed and standardized for stakeholders to uplift the livelihood status of farmers. The division has demonstrated nursery rearing, pre-grow out, and grow out culture of Asian seabass in different coastal states with the funding support of NFDB. Need-based training are being organized to impart technology of seed production, larval rearing of candidate finfish species to different stakeholders such as farmers, hatchery operators, technicians, academicians and entrepreneurs. Presently, new research activities on maturity induction and reproductive assessment of Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus), Red Snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculates), and other potential brackishwater ornamental fishes are being carried out. The division envisages achieving diversification of candidate brackishwater finfish species to strive sustainability of brackishwater farming sector while augmenting the income of stakeholders.

PUBLICATIONS

• Peer Reviewed Journals
• Advisories

Ph D AWARDED

OTHERS

Patent Applied

Bera A, Kailasam M, Mandal B , Ambasankar K, Makesh M, Sukumaran K, Kumararaja P, Padiyar A, Vijayan KK. (2020). Hormone Pellet Implant Formulation and Methodology for Inducing Maturation and Spawning in Milkfish (Chanos Chanos)" (Application number: 202041003962, dated: 07/02/2020) was filed & pending.

SERVICES TO THE SECTOR

• 2000 – Consultancy was provided to RGCA (Rajiv Gandhi Center for Aquaculture, India) for setting up hatchery for Asian seabass seed production and larval rearing.
• 2014 - A MOU was signed with Aditya Fish hatcheries (AFH) for Knowledge partnership for Milk fish breeding and culture.
• 2017 - A MOU was signed with farmers (Shri Amalesh Chatterjee and Shri Saifulla Mandalfrom) from West Bengal to promote farming of Milkfish and Seabass
• 2017 - A MoU was signed with Mr. E. M. Senthil Kumar of Golden Eye under public-private partnership (PPP) mode for transfer of Seabass Seed Production Technology.
• 2019- Two entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh and Govt. of Maharashtra signed MOU with CIBA for transfer of sea bass hatchery technology.
• 2019- Milkfish (Chanos chanos) seed rearing and captive breeding facility is being taken up in collaborative mode with Raj Hatcheries (Bengal) Pvt. Ltd., East Medinipur district, West Bengal.

SCIENTISTS

Dr. Dr.M.Kailasam
Principal Scientist & SIC, FCD
Email: kailu66@hotmail.com
Phone: +91 - 044-24618817 Ext-405

Dr. M. Makesh, Principal Scientist
Dr. T. Senthil Murugan, Principal Scientist
Dr.Ms. Krishna Sukumaran, Senior Scientist
Dr.Prem Kumar,Senior Scientist
Ms. Babita, Scientist
Dr. Aritra Bera, Scientist
Shri Tanveer Hussain, Scientist
Shri Dani Thomas, Scientist
Shri Pankaj Amrut Patil, Scientist

SALIENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Asian seabass

Lates calcarifer (Asian Seabass) is an important candidate species for brackishwater farming. Wider acceptability and premium price of Asian Seabass in the domestic market provide profitable venture option to the hatchery and farming entrepreneurs. CIBA achieved the first successful induced breeding, and seed production in landlocked systems during 1997. In the year of 2000, FCD has transferred the technology to RGCA to set up a hatchery. Since 2006, the division has a complete standardized package for year round seed production in hatchery. Standardized growout culture technology of Asian seabass was demonstrated at various farms in 6 different states in country during 2009 – 2012. State of the Art hatchery facility of the division is producing Asian seabass juvenile for more than 20 years which could augment the growout farming area of Asian seabass to 2000 – 3000 ha in the country. Over the years, the division has conducted several brainstorming workshops, trainings, field demonstrations, farmers interaction meets etc. which could benefit around 5000 brackishwater farmers of different economic background in maritime states of India.

Milkfish

Chanos chanos (Milkfish) is an herbivore and fast growing fish which suits the need of risk-averse farming community. Milkfish is a long known species of Indian brackish water as well as South East Asian countries. The bony texture of meat quality and shiny look-alike appearance resulted it naming it as “Deccan Hilsa” in the domestic market of India. Research efforts of FCD paved the way for closing the life cycle in landlocked captive conditions in 2015, and since then every year continuous larval production is helping brackishwater farmers, SHG’s and tribal farming community to achieve protein sufficiency at a low price. Hitherto, farmers in Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa has adopted grow out farming of Milkfish. In the year 2019 milkfish (Chanos chanos) seed rearing and captive breeding facility is being taken up in collaborative mode with Raj Hatcheries (Bengal) Pvt. Ltd., East Medinipur district, West Bengal. CIBA The division has standardized induced maturation of adult fishes in short lifespan, induced spawning, larval production in indoor systems and culture in different rearing systems prevailing in Indian farming communities of different economic background.

Pearlspot

Etroplus suratensis (Pearlspot) is an indigenous cichlid and esteemed as the state fish of Kerala, India. A local delicacy, herbivorous feeding habit and round the year juvenile production through parental care of pearlspot makes it a desired candidate species for diversification practices for brackishwater aquaculture. R&D efforts of division have a standardized complete package for low-cost seed production under RAS and innovative modular based units. Hapa based seed production of Pearlspot has been demonstrated in backwaters of Kerala, India to SHG’s and Women beneficiaries. R&D plan has been initiated for selective breeding program of pearl spot for enhanced growth.  Besides, low-cost juvenile production technology is also ready to be transferred to stakeholders in different maritime states.

Grey Mullet

Mugil Cephalus (Grey Mullet) is a known worldwide delicacy fish. It is also a herbivore fish dwelling in brackishwater salinities. Finfish Culture Division has put continuous efforts since past decades to decipher the reproductive biology of this migratory fish along the coast of different maritime states in the country. Aggregated data has helped to strengthen the broodstock in captive conditions. Induced maturation and spawning has been achieved which promise the sustained juvenile production from hatchery facility of the division in the near future. In 2019-20, induced breeding of trial using east coast stock resulted in grey mullet fingerling production in captivity. Trial conducted at west coast resulted in larval survival upto 20 dph. Scientists of this division has standardized the low cost growout technology of Mullet in sundarban regions with special emphasis on polyculture and IMTA culture systems.

Long Whiskers Catfish

Mystus gulio (Long Whiskers Catfish) is a brackishwater fish of Indian waters and neighboring countries of the Indian ocean. It is an important Small indigenous fish (SIS) of low saline waters of Sunderban delta (West Bengal) in India which is an important source of protein to a tribal and low-income group of this region. Scientists of this division at KRC developed a ready to transfer comprehensive package for mass scale juvenile production, nursery rearing and low-cost farming technology which envisage transfiguring the livelihood status of women and a tribal group of Sunderbans region. Recently MOU signed with private entrepreneur to establish backyard hatchery for seed production in West Bengal. Monoculture and polyculture technology has been standardized and more than hundred farmers have adopted the farming technology of gulio.

Mangrove Red snapper Lutjauns argentimacualtus

Lutjauns argentimacualtus is a carnivorous brackishwater species having good export value and growth rate. Since 2016 Finfish Culture Division is building up captive broodstock of red snapper and around 120 number tank and pond reared fishes achieved final maturation in captivity. In July 2019, successful induced breeding trial has been conducted matured red snapper with HCG injection and larvae survived upto 10 days.      

     

Fertilized eggs of red snapper

Newly hatched larvae of red snapper

5 days old larvae of red snapper

Ornamental portfolio

The ornamental bracket of CIBA desire to carve the niche for brackishwater species possessing attractive virtues to suit the international ornamental market. Widely occurred species in Indian brackish waters namely Spotted Scat, Silver Moony Fish, Blue Damsel and Orange Chromide are being strengthened for broodstock and induced spawning at the hatchery facility. A complete package of induced spawning for Silver Moony , Spotted Scat and Orange chromide has been completed and is ready to be transferred to stakeholders. Ornamental potential of juvenile milkfish as “Silverfish” evaluated in local market and revealed its acceptance among fish hobbyists. Low-saline breeding model of orange chromide and its marketing channel to Kolkata through farmer’s participation has been ensured. The division envisions to uplift women SHG’s and economically backward fisher communities through the juvenile production of these candidate species.

TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED

Asian seabass:

• Start-up programme on benefit sharing basis for seabass seed production, produced 3.22 lakh seed and generated revenue of Rs.6.88 lakhs, benefit sharing of Rs.2.50 lakhs earned by CIBA.
• Three tier system of seabass nursery, pre grow out and open water cage aquaculture as alternative livelihood has been popularised with proven income and societal development in and around mangrove regions of Maharashtra and Pondicherry with help of SHGs for rural fisher folk and down drown people.
• Low volume cage culture of seabass demonstrated in Kerala and achieved productivity of 19.8kg/m³
• Fertilized eggs of seabass transported to private hatchery operators from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to produce fry and fingerlings to meet local demand through satellite seed rearing model.  
• Supplied VNN free seabass seed
• Youth entrepreneurship development for Seabass fingerling production in Kundapur, Karnataka with CIBA technical support
• RAS based seabass fingerling production unit established at Fish hatchery, MES of CIBA
• Two entrepreneur from Andhra Pradsh and Govt. of Maharashtra signed MOU with CIBA for transfer of sea bass hatchery technology.
• Domesticated (3+ year age) Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) in land-based RCC tanks.
• Year-round spawning of Asian Seabass under captive conditions.
• Tailored techniques of Asian seabass nursery rearing for entrepreneurs and Self Help Groups.
• Asian Seabass farming with formulated feed under pond culture systems.
• Low volume cage culture technique for grow out culture operation in backwaters.

Grey Mullet:

• In 2019-20, induced breeding of trial using east coast stock resulted in around 100 numbers grey mullet fingerling production in captivity during November-December
• Trial conducted at west coast resulted in larval survival upto 20 dph during July- August
• Captive maturation of grey mullet in captivity up to 55% was achieved.
• Domesticated Grey Mullet (2+ year age) in land-based captive systems (RCC tanks and ponds).
• Induced maturation of captive male and female broodstock through hormonal intervention.
• Nursery rearing of juvenile grey mullet under low saline brackishwater pond systems.
• Grow out culture of Grey mullet under IMTA systems.

Milkfish:

• Domestication and successful breeding of two different geographical populations of milkfish (Chanos chanos)
• Breeding horizon extended for eight months (Feb.-Sep.) by altering hormone dose and implantation frequency in milkfish
• Technology developed for mass scale seed production of milkfish improving larval rearing protocol milkfish
• Milkfish (Chanos chanos) seed rearing and captive breeding facility is being taken up in collaborative mode with Raj Hatcheries (Bengal) Pvt. Ltd., East Medinipur district, West Bengal.
• Fertilized eggs of milkfish transported to private hatchery operators from Andhra Pradesh to produce fry and fingerlings to meet local demand through satellite seed rearing model.
• Popularization of milkfish as ‘Decan Hilsa’ through farming demonstration in West Bengal
• Ornamental potential of juvenile milkfish evaluated in local market
• Induced maturation of male and female in captive rearing systems (4+ year age).
• Multiple stocking and multiple harvesting (MSMH) farming model with an average production of 3.5 tonnes/ha.
• Growout culture operations under monoculture for 6 – 8 months.
• Polyculture grow out operations with selected finfishes and shellfishes.

Pearlspot:

• Monoculture of pearlspot done at Alappuzha, Kerala in partnership with brackishwater farmer. Earthen ponds, 150 m2 stocked with 500 nos of pearlspot fry, 2-2.5 g
• Established RAS (Re-circulatory Aquaculture System) model for pearlspot seed rearing for tribal family farming under MGMG programme. Tribal farmers and were able to produce the fingerlings fish from initial size of 1.0 cm size to 4.0 cm size in three weeks by feeding with formulated pellet feed.
• Total around 12000 pearl spot seed produced and used for experiment, demonstration & polyculture. Total revenue of Rs. 40000 generated in last three years.
• A. Baburaj , pearl spot farmers from Kerala received “first zonal Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodhyay Krishi Puraskar -2016” from Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister for his partnership with CIBA for pearl spot seed production and culture.
• Modular System of Pearlspot Seed-production (MSPS) was developed for pearlspot
• Curtailing of parental care and high quality broodstock feed Etrobrood^Plus was used to get enhanced breeding frequency and reproductive performance
• Pairing and larval production under RAS based systems.
• Hapa based low-cost larval production technique for backwaters.
• Low-cost modular systems with sustained optimized year-round juvenile production.

Long Whiskers Catfish:

• Recently MOU signed with private entrepreneur to establish backyard hatchery for seed production in West Bengal. Monoculture and polyculture technology has been standardized and more than hundred farmers have adopted the farming technology of gulio.
• Package of practice for nursery rearing of Mystus gulio in net cage (hapa).
• Induced maturation and spawning protocols for optimized larval production.
• Growout culture under IMTA systems.

Rabbit fish Siganus javus

• A potential food fish with white meat also used as ornamental fish in brackishwater and marine aquariums.
• Fast growing macro algae eater, 100% herbivorous, easily adopted to formulated feeds.
• Fifteen numbers of adult fishes (900 g to 1.0 kg is being maintained under captivity to develop them as broodstock. Another 2 batches of 250 number of sub-adults are also maintained on formulated feed.

Ornamental portfolio:

• Comprehensive technology package for breeding and seed production available for Silver Moony fish (Monodactylus argenteus).
• Induced spawning and larval rearing technique for Spotted Scat (Scatophagus argus) for for hatchery entrepreneur
• Broodstock development and extended month gonadal maturation of Spotted Scat in earthen pond
• Spawning and larval rearing technique for juvenile production of Orange chromidae (Pseudoetroplus maculatus).
• Hatchery produced silver moony seed was given to farmer from Kerala for aquarium trade and popularization
• Hatchery produced silver moony seed supplied to aquarium trader from Kolathur, Chennai for popularization.
• In 2020, mass scale breeding and seed production technology was standardized in Silver Moony fish. A total of 25548 larvae produced , out of 2000 numbers reached the marketable size of 5-7 cm, with a wholesale market value of Rs. 30/- seed
• Native species of Sunderban mangrove region such as green pufferfish (Dichotomyctere fluviatilis), elongate mudskipper (Pseudapocryptes elongates) and Boddart's goggle-eyed goby (Boleopthalmus boddarti) has been evaluated for captive seed production due to ornamental characteristics.

Infrastructure facility in hatchery:

• RAS system for seabass fingerling production
• Finfish quarantine facility
• Lined ponds for broodstock holding
• RAS (Recirculatory aquaculture system) for year-round seed production of seabass
• 100 tonne capacity RCC tanks (7 nos.)
• Live Feed Culture Unit (Microalgae, Rotifer, and Artemia)
• Tank based larval rearing facility for Asian seabass and Milkfish
• Seawater pumping facility (Capacity)
• Effluent Treatment Pond

HIGHLIGHTS

2020: Induced breeding trial of grey mullet using east coast stock attempted and resulted in 100 numbers fingerling in captivity.

2019:

Induced breeding of trial of Red Snapper attempted and larvae survived till 10 days

Milkfish (Chanos chanos) seed rearing and captive breeding facility is being taken up in collaborative mode with Raj Hatcheries (Bengal) Pvt. Ltd., East Medinipur district, West Bengal.

Mullet breeding trial conducted at west coast resulted in captive breeding and larval survival up to 20 days

2018: Developed Cage based Asian Seabass grow-out culture models for Maharashtra and Gujarat.
2017: Achieved success in captive spawning and larval production of Mystus gulio in Sundarbans.
2016: Standardized the larval rearing and juvenile production of Milkfish in hatchery-based systems.
2015: Achieved breakthrough of Milkfish (Chanos chanos) spawning and larval production in captive systems in India for the first time. 
2014: Achieved optimized larval production of Pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) through Modular seed production systems. 
2013: Achieved successful induced spawning of Brackishwater ornamental fish Silver Moony Fish Monodactylus argenteus in captivity. 
2012: Breakthrough of induced spawning and larval production of Cobia Rachycentron canadum from land-based broodstock in captivity. 
2011: Achieved induced spawning and juvenile production of Spotted Scat Scatophagus argus in captivity. 
2009-10: Demonstration of pond-based grow out culture of Asian seabass at farmer’s pond in 6 states of the country - Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
2007: Achieved year round induced maturation and juvenile production of Asian Seabass in hatchery systems. 
2006: Developed state of the art Re - circulatory system (RAS) hatchery facility for Brackishwater finfishes. 
2003: Breakthrough of induced maturation and larval production of Greasy Grouper Epinephelus tauvina in captive systems.
2000-01: Transfer of technology – Asian seabass induced maturation, spawning and juvenile production hatchery technology to RGCA (Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture).
1999 - 1998: Standardized indoor larval rearing techniques for Asian Seabass hatchery. 
1997: Breakthrough in breeding of first Marine fish in India- Asian Seabass in land based captive systems. 
1996: Achieved induced maturation of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) broodstock (Male and Female) in land based RCC tanks

EVENTS

1.National Workshop on ‘Strategic Approach In Fisheries Sector on the Potential and Viability of Culturing Endemic and Exotic Species in India’ at ICAR-CIBA, Chennai.

2.Dr E.G. Silas, Founder Director CIBA & Former Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University, visited the research facilities at Muttukadu Experimental Station of CIBA.

3.Brackishwater cage farming of seabass fish for enhancing fish production and alternate livelihood support of coastal population in Tamil Nadu: a Success story by ICAR-CIBA, Chennai.

4.ICAR-CIBA conducted Skill Development Programme on Crafting low volume cages and farming of brackishwater fishes in cages..

5.ICAR CIBA signed MOU with farmers from West Bengal to promote farming of milkfish and seabass in West Bengal towards augmenting the Blue economy.

6.Low Volume Cage Farming (LVCF) of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) on Partnership farming mode (PFM) at Trissur, Kerala as a part of MoU signed with Farmer group and ICAR-CIBA on Finfish Satellite Seed Rearing (FSSR).

7.CIBA signed MOU with Aditya Fish hatcheries (AFH) for Knowledge partnership for milk fish breeding and culture

8. Farmers meet, farming demonstration from hatchery seed and popularization of milkfish as Decan hilsa in West Bengal during 2016-17

9. ICAR-CIBA Signed MoU for the Technology Transfer of Seabass Fish Hatchery Technology with Mr. Nishanth Reddy from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh on 30th October 2018 at Chennai

10.ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) signed MoU with M/s. Raj Hatcheries, Pvt Ltd. West Bengal for the technology alliance on milkfish hatchery the first of its kind, 17th August 2019

11.Water Fin Pvt Ltd, Andhra Pradesh signs MOU with ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aqauculture (CIBA) for acquiring Seabass seed production technology, 4th February, 2020

12. ICAR-CIBA Celebrated World Oceans Day, June 8th, 2020 and on the Occasion Distributed the Hatchery Produced Brackishwater Ornamental Fish Silver Moony (Monos) to the Ornamental Traders from Kolathur, Chennai, Highlighting the Conservation Efforts