ABSTRACT
The important catfish species include Mystus seenghala, Mystus gulio, M. aor, Pangasius pangasius, Wallago attu, Clarias magur, Ompok bimaculatus and Heteropneustes fossilis. The aquacultural traits of these species are attributed to good taste, fine flavour, fast growth rate, amenability to culture under high stocking density, ready acceptability to artificial feed and good market potential especially in living condition. Brooders can also be fed with prepared pellet feeds. Fish flour, rice bran, groundnut oil cake, wheat flour and vitamins can be mixed with water at 4:1.4:3:1.5:0.1 ratio. Matured female brooders will have broad soft belly region, so that it can be pressed to release eggs. Catfishes can be bred from May to November months, because these months water will have 21–31 degree Celsius temperature. Generally female brooders should be injected with increased amount of inducing hormone when compared with male brooders. Brooders should be handled with special care during hormone injection.
