Hatchery-Based Mass Seed Production of Nutrition-Sensitive Mola Carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola)

Abstract

Mola carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola) is a small indigenous fish species of high nutritional importance, widely valued for its role in improving dietary micronutrient intake in South and Southeast Asia. However, declining natural stocks and the absence of standardized hatchery protocols have limited its wider aquaculture adoption. This manual presents a practical, hatchery-based approach for the induced breeding and mass seed production of mola, developed under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program. The guideline outlines a structured nine-step protocol covering broodstock pond preparation, brood management, induced breeding, spawning, egg incubation, hatchling harvesting, packaging, transportation, and nursery rearing. Designed for easy adoption by small- and medium-scale hatcheries, the protocol enables reliable seed supply, supports carp–mola polyculture systems, and promotes nutrition-sensitive aquaculture. Its application can contribute significantly to improved household nutrition, enhanced fish production, and strengthened food security in vulnerable communities.