Comparative growth and survival of hatchery produced and wildfingerlings of Deccan mahseer, Tor khudree (Sykes)

Abstract

The present study reveals the results of a growth trial conducted using the hatchery produced and wild caught fingerlings ofthe Deccan mahseer, Tor khudree (Cyprinidae). The fingerlings were fed with a diet containing 41.21% protein and 15.17%fat at the rate of 5% of the body weight, once daily for 120 days. On termination of the experiment, the hatchery producedfingerlings were found to reach an average weight of 96 g, while the wild caught fingerlings registered 49.16 g. Thecorresponding lengths obtained were 17.85 and 14.26 cm respectively. The growth increment was higher (0.74 g day-1) inhatchery produced fingerlings than that of the wild caught fingerlings (0.38 g day-1). The average survival rate was 98 and95% for the hatchery produced and wild fingerlings, respectively. The results of the proximate composition of the fishmuscle showed no significant difference between the two groups of fish.