ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the biological bases for artificial propagation techniques and the developments in the field. The development of Chinese fish culture and the successful spread of Chinese carp throughout the world became possible only after methods for artificial propagation were established. Propagation of Chinese carp is possible due to recent progress in artificial propagation techniques. Artificial propagation techniques include capture or raising of broodfish, inducing ovulation, and fertilizing and incubating eggs. The quality of the eggs can be determined using biochemical methods or morphological analysis under light or electron microscopes; these methods have yet to be used in mass-scale artificial propagation practices as they would be too time consuming and costly. Egg incubation devices must provide continuous water supply to keep the eggs in suspension, to provide oxygen, and to remove metabolic products. Lethal oxygen levels for larval Chinese carp are similar to those for common carp larvae.
