Induced breeding and mass seed production of pool barb (Puntius sophore) –a nutrient-dense small indigenous fish species in Assam

Abstract

Integrating small indigenous fish species (SIS) into conventional carp polyculture systems holds great promise for addressing micronutrient deficiencies in nutritionally disadvantaged human landscapes. Among the diverse SIS in Assam, the Pool barb (Puntius sophore) belonging to family Cyprinidae stands out as an exceptional candidate, abundant in vital micronutrients such as calcium and vitamin B12. Previous studies have already demonstrated the successful incorporation of Pool barb into composite culture with carps, making it an ideal lighthouse species for promoting nutrition-sensitive aquaculture approaches in the region. Supply of SIS seed is prerequisite for accelerating the nutrition-sensitive aquaculture approaches and hence the development of hatchery-based mass seed production technologies that are easily replicable at farmer’s field. Successful research work on development of hatchery-based mass seed production technologies of SIS has emerge as needs of the hour. This research presents successful captive breeding and seed production of Pool barb conducted at a farmer's field in the Darrang district of Assam.