ABSTRACT
Loaches forms one of the most commercially important fishes among the freshwater fishes. It is distributed in India, Srilanka, Myanmar and Thailand. Loaches are commercially important fishes and found mainly in Madurai, Theni, Thenkasi, Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu. Loach fish curry fetches the special value with highest price in restaurants. It is very difficult to differentiate the male and female fishes. Although loaches possess high market value, the culture of loaches is still a puzzle. However, Mr. S. Pugazhendi, one of the Fish farm owner near Mannargudi, Thiruvarur district, is successfully culturing loaches for about more than 5 years. After stocking the carps, loach brooders can be stocked in the same pond. Same feed which was used for carps, like groundnut oil cake and rice bran can be fed for loaches alone.
