WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2018 41 is a delicacy in northeast region states. It is also a species that can be included in species and culture system diversification. Pabda can thrive well in shallow water, making it a preferred species for culture in seasonal water bodies. The fish is remarkable because it can survive without food and water for some reasonable length of time. Unlike other catfishes the species is fairly calm and is compatible with carps. In well-maintained culture systems, pabda attains a size of 85-120 g in 7-8 months. although growth in nature is slow, attaining a length of 128 mm after one year, 159 mm after two years and 198 mm after three years. The maximum length recorded so far is 450 mm. Recently, the reduction in habitat area as a result of reclamation of wetlands and excessive use of pesticides, herbicides and inorganic fertilizers in agricultural farms have threatened the species to the point where it has been designated as vulnerable to extinction. Despite having potential as a good species for diversification, it has not received much attention in aquaculture, mainly for the lack of information on breeding and culture techniques. Captive breeding can go a long way toward diversifying this aquaculture species. Captive Breeding Pabda does not reproduce naturally in artificial rearing conditions. Fish mature after one year and males mature earlier than females. Pabda reach maturity at 200-230 mm or 20-40 g during April and May. During the breeding season males and females move in shoals and migrate from beels to rivers. Spawning occurs Presently, Indian aquaculture is dependent on a few species of major carps and prawns, although there are 15-20 species with potential for commercialization. The projected fish production of India country in 2020 is 11.9 million t, consisting of 7.4 million t from inland production and 3.5 million t from the marine sector. Development strategies need attention towards diversification of aquaculture through production of locally available fish species. Carps, catfish, prawns, mollusks, and ornamental fish provide options for diversification of species cultured. The northeast region of India consists of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. It has rich biodiversity and fisheries resources. With more than 95 percent of the population consuming fish, demand is very high but there is a wide gap between supply and demand. Aquaculture development in the region is taking place at a rapid rate. All states in the northeast region have reported productivity levels of around 1000–1700 kg/ha per yr with an average of 1500 kg/ha per yr. However, efforts are needed to increase the present level of production through horizontal and vertical expansion. The region has rivers, coldwater streams, floodplain wetlands, reservoirs, lakes, ponds, paddy fields, and mini-barrages to support commercial-scale aquaculture activities, which can produce fish to meet regional requirements and export the surplus. The catfish Ompok bimaculatus, commonly known as pabda, is a native species that is recently gaining in importance as a promising aquaculture candidate, related to its good taste, excellent nutritional profile and high market value. Smoked pabda Induced Breeding and Seed Production of Pabda: A Species with Potential for Aquaculture Diversification in Northeast India Pradyut Biswas, Alok Kumar Jena, Himadri Saha and Tanmoy Gan Chowdhury (CONTINUED ON PAGE 42) TABLE 1. Nutritional profile of pabda. Nutrient content per 100 g raw edible part. Protein (g) 16.20 Iodine (μg) 7.0 Fat (g) 9.50 Selenium (μg) 27 Moisture (g) 73.90 Phosphorus (mg) 150 Ash (g) 0.90 Magnesium (mg) 23 Energy (kJ) 619.00 Sodium (mg) 47 Iron (mg) 0.46 Potassium (mg) 230 Zinc (mg) 0.90 Manganese (mg) 0.073 Calcium (mg) 91.00 Sulphur (mg) 190 Source: Bogard et al. 2015 TABLE 2. Criteria followed to select mature spawners of pabda. Sl No. Male Female 1 Small Relatively large 2 Abdomen normal; Abdomen bulging, not bulky like female elastic and soft 3 Body slender, Body robust and more transluscent pigmented and less pigmented 4 Serration of the Serration of pectoral spine pectoral spine is is not pronounced pronounced
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