The quick growing Mekong silurid Pangasius, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage) introduced into West Bengal in 1994 as Pond grown food fish expanded rapidly by 2016 in 15 other states. Current status of the Pangasius farming in India was evaluated during the year 2018 indicate that total 42900ha is under farming comprising 41120ha earthen still water ponds and cage culture in 1780ha area. Andhra Pradesh has the major cultivated area 24000 ha followed by 8000 ha in Bihar and 6400 ha in West Bengal. Recently developed cage culture is carried out in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Telangana, Maharashtra etc., Grow-out ponds size is varying between 0.4 to 4ha with maximum 56 ha. Monoculture is predominant in 82% of ponds and poly culture is conducted with Indian Major Carps L.rohita, C.catla and amazon red bellied pacu Piractus Brachipomus in 2,3 and 4 species combination. Density is dependent on water depth 8750 nos/ha at 0.76 m depth and 25000 nos/ha with maximum upto 45000/ha at 1.5 to 2.74 m depth, fingerling of >5g were stocked in 72% of the ponds and fry about 2cm size were stocked in the remaining. Main stocking seasons is January to May and fingerlings price is Rs. 5 to 7 each at main stocking seasons January to May and decreases to 0.3 to 1 each during June to December months.
West Bengal is the main hub of seed production and more than 500 million seed is supplied to all the states. Hatcheries and commercial nurseries have already come up to Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha. In monoculture 94% of the farms and in poly culture 86% of the farms use extruded feeds having 24 to 32% protein level. Monthly growth rate 200 to 350 gm was attained with 28% protein level and FCR varied 1:1.3 to 1.46. Survival 76 to 96% was obtained in 150 to 350 culture period and decreased to 60-70% in prolonged culture of 365 to 750 days' period. Bacterial infection "Red Disease" caused by Aeromonas hydrophila, A. salmonicida, Pseudomonas fluorescens and vibrio species is the major disease prevalent. Present study indicates that in the year 2018 total production of Pangasius 855,500MT was achieved with 500,000MT from Andhra Pradesh, followed by 150,000MT from Bihar. Pangasius marketing is a classical example of "Boom and Burst" and price prevailing Rs. 35/kg in 2006, suddenly declined to Rs. 16 to 26/kg in 2007, reached peak Rs. 54 to 56/kg in 2009 decreased to Rs 27/kg in 2010. Farm gate price fluctuating between 55.6 to 78/kg in 2017 was stabilized at 71.5 to 80/kg in 2018 due to planned stocking and harvesting pattern by the farmers.
At present Pangasius is marketed in 218 domestic markets from Kerala to Arunachal Pradesh as whole fish in chilled condition with improved packing, keeping quality. Processors have already started filleting, supplying as brands to restaurants in cities. In addition to value addition fillets with export potential, fish meal is manufactured from offal and Pangasius juveniles are also marketed as "Preferred Aquarium fish"
Thus the current study indicates that the Pangasius farming has stabilized farmers have necessary skills to adjust market demand, to produce quality fillets and the exotic sutchi catfish will attain "1 Million Metric Ton/annum production status by the year 2025, a position achieved so far by Indian Major Carps only"