Hatchery-Based Mass Seed Production of Nutrition-Sensitive Pool Barb (Puntius sophore) and Swamp Barb (Puntius chola)

Abstract

Pool barb (Puntius sophore) and swamp barb (Puntius chola) are small indigenous fish species of high nutritional importance, traditionally contributing to food security and rural livelihoods across South and Southeast Asia. Despite their rich micronutrient content and suitability for integration into carp-based polyculture systems, their wider aquaculture adoption has been constrained by declining wild stocks and the lack of standardized hatchery seed production techniques. This manual presents a practical, low-cost, and scalable hatchery-based approach for the induced breeding and mass seed production of these two species, developed under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program. The guideline outlines a structured step-by-step protocol covering broodstock management, induced breeding, spawning, egg incubation, hatchling harvesting, packaging, transportation, and nursery rearing. Designed for easy adoption by hatchery operators, this protocol supports reliable SIS seed supply and promotes the expansion of nutrition-sensitive aquaculture to enhance household nutrition and food security.