Effects of Ovaprime on Spawning Induction and Larval Rearing of Tire Track Eel (Mastacembelusfavus)

The economically important Tire Track Eel serves as an aesthetic and table food species but increasing demand especially in Asia led to consequent depletion and pressure on wild fish stock. The present study was conducted to assess the best dose of ovaprim and comparing effects with other hormones (PG and HCG), and understanding the larval rearing process obtained from these hormones. The sex ratio was 1: 3 (male to female). The fish were given best dose of ovaprim (0.5 mg/kg), PG (5 ml/kg), and HCG (3000 IU/kg) with 3 treatment and 3 replicates. Later, larvae obtained from these hormone were reared up to 20 days using live foods (Moina, and Tubifex). The best dose obtained for ovulation of Tire Track Eel was 0.5 ml/kg ovaprim with an ovulation rate 100%, absolute fecundity 21588 ?3661, fertilization rate 78.8 ?9.52 %, and hatching rate 69.7 ?5.08 %. Larvae obtained from ovaprim hormone performed good growth rate and survival as compared to other hormones with weight gain 0.006 g, length gain 0.08 cm, and survival rate 61.17 ? 1.19 %. Therefore, it can be concluded that the optimal dose for inducing breeding of Tire Track Eel was 0.5 ml/kg.