Mr. Saket Kashyap, Director of Kash Fisheries, Sangrampur Motihari, Bihar, discusses the problems faced during fish breeding.
In 2016, we started the hatchery business with the help of state government who had announced a scheme to invite people to start hatchery business. We started with two ponds for raising and one for breeding. We faced many problems such as finding skilled labour at that time. The next problem was getting quality brooders as the ones that we got in our area were not healthy and seeds not matured enough. The ponds were getting recovered very slowly and not sustainable at all. Water parameters were not good, and we had to get it tested every time. The lab where we got it tested was not good, technicians not trained, and the results were always varying and never gave correct readings.
To elaborate on the problems, the first major problem was the trained labour. We had to get high quality skilled labour to set up hatchery units, to give medicines, to treat brooders, and all these were very difficult to get. We ourselves were not trained in these aspects, and we had to depend on labours. It was difficult to find skilled labours in the local area as even those available had very less knowledge. So we had to go to Kolkata to get some skilled labours who knew how to get things done. Then getting good brooders was difficult as what we got were not matured. The ones in the local or nearby ponds were not well-fed and not taken care properly. So we had to go to rivers nearby and get some fresh brooders. Once we started getting the breeding, we started getting good quality seeds, eggs coming out properly, though initially the swelling of seed eggs was not happening properly, it was either nothing or inadequate. We had this problem for some time, and we had to do lot of experimentation to make it happen. We used the borewells to fill the tank and were using that water. We guessed there was a problem with the water quality. So we got the water tested. Scientists from the Fishery department came to check the problem. So we came up with the idea to mix the pond water into the tank water to do the breeding. Again it was not too reliable. So we put a borewell, filled in the overhead tank, and pond water was used to solve the issue. We made 4 tanks to move water from one to the next and so on, kept the water in the overhead tanks for 4 to 5 days and used that water after one month. Then breeding started happening properly, but it was not a sustainable model. So we wanted to get the parameters checked which was not getting revealed in the local lab. We then connected to ICAR, Patna, had discussions with the scientists there. They came with all the testing kits and found that the hardness of water was too high. So to get rid of it, we had to get a new borewell of 400 metres and checked the water. The hardness was not there, but the quality was not good either.
We started the first season in 2016 which was very bad and went ahead with experimentations such as creating tanks and circulating water. In 2017, we got the precise contract labour for one year, but after one year, they left, and we had to find the new set of labour who can take care of the breeding and other things. In the first year, we had quality brooders correct, and in the second year, when the season ended, the scientists checked the water again and found hardness had reduced. Third year we checked the parameters and started breeding. The production was really good, brooders were good, but the quality of produce was not good we felt. We got connected with ICAR experts from Aquaculture Research Centre, Bhubaneshwar. There was a special feed being made for production of good breeders. We got the first lot of seeds in September 2017, we fed the brooders with the feed, and in 2018, we started breeding. The quality and production really were high. We created 7 pools and a breeding pool. We saw real growth of hatchery in our firm.
Even now we have the problem of skilled labour. Though we get from West Bengal or any other state, we have to generate inhouse labour also with proper scientific skill in them. But the labours are not usually technically sound, they go by their experience. Brooders management is also a challenge still as we have to keep changing the feed. We retain the same brooders for two years and then change to a fresh lot and get rid of old ones. The next challenge is marketing which is highly local dependent. We have to go to those areas to get the produce sold. We also lack proper testing labs and trainings on new technologies that need to be taught to the farmers. There are many technologies that are not farmer-friendly, and cost is also high. So sustainability becomes a problem. We find that plenty of hatcheries are coming up, but they are not keen about the quality of the seeds and sell the produce at a low price. There is no standardization of quality parameters to maintain the seeds produced. So we always suggest the other farms to maintain the quality parameters for seed production. The consumer who buys should know what quality of seeds they are buying. If we are not good quality seed producer, we can sell it at a low price, but if the quality is good, we cannot sell it at a low cost. The price challenges are another issue we are trying to come over.
How does water quality affect the fish breeding success, and what are the issues that can arise?
Water quality is a major parameter and ultimate one. When the seeds fertilise, we rotate the seeds for 72 hours. The eggs start swelling in the first stage, and then the fish is born. They break the eggs and come out. If the water is hard, the egg shell becomes hard in the water and does not allow the fish to come out. That is why I suggest to get the water and other parameters checked often. If it is acidic, it can affect the production. Once the fish come out of eggs, then they keep moving around in the water. If the water quality is not good, there is every chance of bacteria developing in the water, and also fungal attack. Even with little bit of fungus, the things can change. The seeds will start dying. There could be hidden parameters such as ammonia, hardness, salinity, acidity, which need to be properly checked. Also the water has to be clean. We have a shower like structure on the overhead tank so that the water absorbs the dissolved oxygen. We do not have proper channel where we can get information about things to be done. The scientists are not located in our area and cannot measure everything and suggest. We have to manage lot of things.
What role does temperature regulation play in fish breeding, and what problems can arise if it is not properly controlled?
Our breeding business starts in early March and goes on until end of July or August. In Bihar, since many villages are near Nepal, the winters till March end also, with chilly weather. So we start the season in March and have seen that the production is not that good. When we start the season in when the temperature is high, the production goes down. In June when the rainy season starts with temperature at 35 or 36 degrees, the productions is good. We have seen the number of seeds and output increasing well. Controlling the temperature and environment is something we cannot do as the cost of production of seeds is high. It is good to have control the parameters and temperature, but it is not practically possible to operate in such conditions.
How about freshwater shrimps in Caribbean? Is it good?
We have not done freshwater shrimps since beginning. Though we wanted to do it with the help of ICAR, Bhubaneshwar using bio floc, it did not work out. We have not tried it since the beginning.
Are there specific diseases or health issues that commonly impact fish breeding, and how are they managed?
During breeding time, the fish are small and do not get many diseases. But fungal attack is something that affects breeding. After the egg is fertilised and rotating, proper cleaning has to be done as the egg shells break and start floating. We have to keep continuously cleaning at least for 2 days. Otherwise, it will release ammonia inside the water that will kill the baby fish. So we need someone to keep cleaning the water every 15 minutes to remove the shell floating on top of the water. Any fungal attack gets deposited at the bottom, and babies start dying. We have to ensure there is no fungal attack. Also dead cells in the fish skin get removed that can pollute the water. So cleaning the water tank where breeding is sone is very important.
What are the potential problems related to fish breeding during breeding process?
Feeding is an important factor when doing brooder management. We usually separate the female and male fish in the beginning itself and feed them differently. There are special feed produced by CIFA, Bhubaneshwar which is meant to be used during breeding seasons. This helps brooders to get healthy eggs. How we manage the brooders in the beginning and how healthy they become decide the production.
How does the selection of breeding pairs influence successful reproduction, and what difficulties can arise in this area?
It is a genetic thing. The females lay eggs. At times the male fish is not getting proper food or care. The egg may not be matured or strong enough to give healthy seeds. We have to take proper care of male and female fish separately, feed them properly, depending on the species so that they are properly fed and healthy.
Are there any particular environmental factors that can hinder fish breeding, and how can they be mitigated?
It is the weather condition that affect fish breeding. If the temperature is high, it affects. If the water is hard, it is difficult to get good yield. Every time, we breed we have to test the water, and it is not easy to get it tested in lab. It is usually the temperature that has impact on the breeding. With low monsoon, it affects next set, and so we have to be informed and be prepared for that. If the water is hard, we have to make the process by filling tank water into the borewell. We were informed that the ground water that is accumulated is not clean which will increase the hardness of water. So we have to keep experimenting to achieve.
How do we manage potential aggression or territorial behaviour among breeding fish?
This behaviour is seen among the ornamental fish. In other kinds of fish, we do not see this aggression. We do not deal with ornamental fish much. We stop this behaviour in natural habitat.
Are there any generic or hereditary issues that can arise during fish breeding, and how are they addressed?
Yes, we keep changing the broods every year because this can create problems. We get a set of brooders in the first year, get baby fish, sell most of them, and only a few are left with us. So within the next cycle, they are ready to breed. If we keep using the same siblings again and again, there will be hereditary issues and disorders. We keep mixing the broods. We get fresh water broods from the market or other natural resources such as river. We sell the old ones in the market and get new brooders. We keep rotating the brooders continuously. It is advisable to change the brooders at least once in two to three years.
Mr Yetendra Kashyap /
Mr Saket Kashyap
Founders - Kash Fisheries
Bariyariya sangrampur
East champaran bihar 845434
motihar, bihar 845434
Email: yetendrakashyap@gmail.com
Phone: 9431409836
In 2016, we started the hatchery business with the help of state government who had announced a scheme to invite people to start hatchery business. We started with two ponds for raising and one for breeding. We faced many problems such as finding skilled labour at that time. The next problem was getting quality brooders as the ones that we got in our area were not healthy and seeds not matured enough. The ponds were getting recovered very slowly and not sustainable at all. Water parameters were not good, and we had to get it tested every time. The lab where we got it tested was not good, technicians not trained, and the results were always varying and never gave correct readings.
To elaborate on the problems, the first major problem was the trained labour. We had to get high quality skilled labour to set up hatchery units, to give medicines, to treat brooders, and all these were very difficult to get. We ourselves were not trained in these aspects, and we had to depend on labours. It was difficult to find skilled labours in the local area as even those available had very less knowledge. So we had to go to Kolkata to get some skilled labours who knew how to get things done. Then getting good brooders was difficult as what we got were not matured. The ones in the local or nearby ponds were not well-fed and not taken care properly. So we had to go to rivers nearby and get some fresh brooders. Once we started getting the breeding, we started getting good quality seeds, eggs coming out properly, though initially the swelling of seed eggs was not happening properly, it was either nothing or inadequate. We had this problem for some time, and we had to do lot of experimentation to make it happen. We used the borewells to fill the tank and were using that water. We guessed there was a problem with the water quality. So we got the water tested. Scientists from the Fishery department came to check the problem. So we came up with the idea to mix the pond water into the tank water to do the breeding. Again it was not too reliable. So we put a borewell, filled in the overhead tank, and pond water was used to solve the issue. We made 4 tanks to move water from one to the next and so on, kept the water in the overhead tanks for 4 to 5 days and used that water after one month. Then breeding started happening properly, but it was not a sustainable model. So we wanted to get the parameters checked which was not getting revealed in the local lab. We then connected to ICAR, Patna, had discussions with the scientists there. They came with all the testing kits and found that the hardness of water was too high. So to get rid of it, we had to get a new borewell of 400 metres and checked the water. The hardness was not there, but the quality was not good either.
We started the first season in 2016 which was very bad and went ahead with experimentations such as creating tanks and circulating water. In 2017, we got the precise contract labour for one year, but after one year, they left, and we had to find the new set of labour who can take care of the breeding and other things. In the first year, we had quality brooders correct, and in the second year, when the season ended, the scientists checked the water again and found hardness had reduced. Third year we checked the parameters and started breeding. The production was really good, brooders were good, but the quality of produce was not good we felt. We got connected with ICAR experts from Aquaculture Research Centre, Bhubaneshwar. There was a special feed being made for production of good breeders. We got the first lot of seeds in September 2017, we fed the brooders with the feed, and in 2018, we started breeding. The quality and production really were high. We created 7 pools and a breeding pool. We saw real growth of hatchery in our firm.
Even now we have the problem of skilled labour. Though we get from West Bengal or any other state, we have to generate inhouse labour also with proper scientific skill in them. But the labours are not usually technically sound, they go by their experience. Brooders management is also a challenge still as we have to keep changing the feed. We retain the same brooders for two years and then change to a fresh lot and get rid of old ones. The next challenge is marketing which is highly local dependent. We have to go to those areas to get the produce sold. We also lack proper testing labs and trainings on new technologies that need to be taught to the farmers. There are many technologies that are not farmer-friendly, and cost is also high. So sustainability becomes a problem. We find that plenty of hatcheries are coming up, but they are not keen about the quality of the seeds and sell the produce at a low price. There is no standardization of quality parameters to maintain the seeds produced. So we always suggest the other farms to maintain the quality parameters for seed production. The consumer who buys should know what quality of seeds they are buying. If we are not good quality seed producer, we can sell it at a low price, but if the quality is good, we cannot sell it at a low cost. The price challenges are another issue we are trying to come over.
How does water quality affect the fish breeding success, and what are the issues that can arise?
Water quality is a major parameter and ultimate one. When the seeds fertilise, we rotate the seeds for 72 hours. The eggs start swelling in the first stage, and then the fish is born. They break the eggs and come out. If the water is hard, the egg shell becomes hard in the water and does not allow the fish to come out. That is why I suggest to get the water and other parameters checked often. If it is acidic, it can affect the production. Once the fish come out of eggs, then they keep moving around in the water. If the water quality is not good, there is every chance of bacteria developing in the water, and also fungal attack. Even with little bit of fungus, the things can change. The seeds will start dying. There could be hidden parameters such as ammonia, hardness, salinity, acidity, which need to be properly checked. Also the water has to be clean. We have a shower like structure on the overhead tank so that the water absorbs the dissolved oxygen. We do not have proper channel where we can get information about things to be done. The scientists are not located in our area and cannot measure everything and suggest. We have to manage lot of things.
What role does temperature regulation play in fish breeding, and what problems can arise if it is not properly controlled?
Our breeding business starts in early March and goes on until end of July or August. In Bihar, since many villages are near Nepal, the winters till March end also, with chilly weather. So we start the season in March and have seen that the production is not that good. When we start the season in when the temperature is high, the production goes down. In June when the rainy season starts with temperature at 35 or 36 degrees, the productions is good. We have seen the number of seeds and output increasing well. Controlling the temperature and environment is something we cannot do as the cost of production of seeds is high. It is good to have control the parameters and temperature, but it is not practically possible to operate in such conditions.
How about freshwater shrimps in Caribbean? Is it good?
We have not done freshwater shrimps since beginning. Though we wanted to do it with the help of ICAR, Bhubaneshwar using bio floc, it did not work out. We have not tried it since the beginning.
Are there specific diseases or health issues that commonly impact fish breeding, and how are they managed?
During breeding time, the fish are small and do not get many diseases. But fungal attack is something that affects breeding. After the egg is fertilised and rotating, proper cleaning has to be done as the egg shells break and start floating. We have to keep continuously cleaning at least for 2 days. Otherwise, it will release ammonia inside the water that will kill the baby fish. So we need someone to keep cleaning the water every 15 minutes to remove the shell floating on top of the water. Any fungal attack gets deposited at the bottom, and babies start dying. We have to ensure there is no fungal attack. Also dead cells in the fish skin get removed that can pollute the water. So cleaning the water tank where breeding is sone is very important.
What are the potential problems related to fish breeding during breeding process?
Feeding is an important factor when doing brooder management. We usually separate the female and male fish in the beginning itself and feed them differently. There are special feed produced by CIFA, Bhubaneshwar which is meant to be used during breeding seasons. This helps brooders to get healthy eggs. How we manage the brooders in the beginning and how healthy they become decide the production.
How does the selection of breeding pairs influence successful reproduction, and what difficulties can arise in this area?
It is a genetic thing. The females lay eggs. At times the male fish is not getting proper food or care. The egg may not be matured or strong enough to give healthy seeds. We have to take proper care of male and female fish separately, feed them properly, depending on the species so that they are properly fed and healthy.
Are there any particular environmental factors that can hinder fish breeding, and how can they be mitigated?
It is the weather condition that affect fish breeding. If the temperature is high, it affects. If the water is hard, it is difficult to get good yield. Every time, we breed we have to test the water, and it is not easy to get it tested in lab. It is usually the temperature that has impact on the breeding. With low monsoon, it affects next set, and so we have to be informed and be prepared for that. If the water is hard, we have to make the process by filling tank water into the borewell. We were informed that the ground water that is accumulated is not clean which will increase the hardness of water. So we have to keep experimenting to achieve.
How do we manage potential aggression or territorial behaviour among breeding fish?
This behaviour is seen among the ornamental fish. In other kinds of fish, we do not see this aggression. We do not deal with ornamental fish much. We stop this behaviour in natural habitat.
Are there any generic or hereditary issues that can arise during fish breeding, and how are they addressed?
Yes, we keep changing the broods every year because this can create problems. We get a set of brooders in the first year, get baby fish, sell most of them, and only a few are left with us. So within the next cycle, they are ready to breed. If we keep using the same siblings again and again, there will be hereditary issues and disorders. We keep mixing the broods. We get fresh water broods from the market or other natural resources such as river. We sell the old ones in the market and get new brooders. We keep rotating the brooders continuously. It is advisable to change the brooders at least once in two to three years.
Mr Yetendra Kashyap /
Mr Saket Kashyap
Founders - Kash Fisheries
Bariyariya sangrampur
East champaran bihar 845434
motihar, bihar 845434
Email: yetendrakashyap@gmail.com
Phone: 9431409836