Breeding and development of ornamental hill stream fish Devario aequipinnatus (McClelland) in captivity

Abstract

Devario aequipinnatus is an active and brilliantly striped hill stream fish and has a great value as an ornamental fish in the global market. The aim of the present study was to breed this ornamental fish without the use of any hormones and study its development in captivity. Breeding of this ornamental fish was successfully carried out in July 2011 and in August 2012. The fishes were bred in captivity without the use of any hormones in a mature aquarium which simulated the natural habitat. Induction of spawning was successfully carried out by increasing the temperature and creating artificial rain. Embryonic and post embryonic development was recorded at intervals up to 65 days. The fertilized eggs measuring 0.9-1.2 mm in diameter were observed to be demersal, nonadhesive, almost spherical in shape, optically transparent and unpigmented. The embryos hatched 35-36 h post-fertilization from the chorion and measured 2.8±0.1 mm in total length. After 65 days of development it completely resembled the adult fish. The eggs and embryonic development of D. aequipinnatus resembled those of the closely related species Danio rerio and Devario malabaricus. The larvae and juveniles of D. aequipinnatus were also similar to those of the latter species in general morphology. Captive breeding of this ornamental fish can play a great role in the conservation andrnits habitat protection.