Effect of hormonal stimulation on captive broodstock maturation, induced breeding and spawning performance of striped snakehead, Channa striata (Bloch, 1793).

In the present study, there was assessment of effects of gonadotropin treatments on broodstock maturation, induced breeding, and spawning outcomes of striped snakehead in captivity. The striped snakehead (n = 128) were equally distributed in four concrete tanks (15 m) and hormone implants (500 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)/kg body weight) were inserted intramuscularly and striped snakehead broodstock administered this treatment were confined in two tanks and striped snakehead of a non-implanted group were confined in two tanks. The hormone implanted striped snakehead had a greater (P < 0.05) gonadosomatic index (GSI) and oocyte diameter in comparison to non-implanted striped snakehead. In a subsequent experiment, hCG and carp pituitary homogenate (CPH) were evaluated for inducing breeding. Dosages of hCG used were, 2,000 (T), 3000 (T), and 4000 (T) IU hCG/kg body weight of females. Dosages of CPH were, 20 (T), 30 (T), and 40 (T) mg CPH/kg body weight of females. Males were administered 0.75 of the dosage administered to females. The values for reproductive variables were estimated. Fertilization (89.0 ± 3.0 %) and hatching (92.0 ± 1.0 %) rates were greater (P < 0.05) in the T group of implanted striped snakehead. Relative fecundity (19,023 ± 2211), as well as fertilization (96.2 ± 2.4 %), and hatching (96.6 ± 1.7 %) rates were greater in the T group of the implanted striped snakehead. The results from the present study indicate broodstock treated with gonadotropins had greater spawning outcomes which might facilitate mass scale breeding and fertilized egg as well as juvenile production of striped snakehead in captivity.