Captive breeding strategies for ornamental snakehead Channa andrao: dose-dependent reproductive performance,...

Channa andrao (Britz 2013), an endemic ornamental snakehead of the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot, is among the most heavily traded ornamental fish species, yet the absence of a validated captive breeding protocol presents significant challenges for sustainable aquaculture and conservation. This study documents the first induced breeding protocol for C. andrao using synthetic hormone OVASIS, tested at four dose levels: Control (0 mL/kg BW), G1 (0.5 mL/kg BW), G2 (1.0 mL/kg BW), and G3 (1.5 mL/kg BW), across 12 independent breeding trials per group. Spawning success differed significantly among groups, with G2 achieving the highest rate (83.3%) (p = 0.033). A quadratic binomial logistic regression identified an estimated optimum OVASIS dose of 0.671 mL/kg BW (predicted spawning success ~ 79.0%), intermediate between the G1 and G2 dose levels. G2 produced a significantly shorter latency period (16.12 ± 0.62 h), shorter incubation period (46.02 ± 0.55 h), higher spawning fecundity (374.50 ± 58.14 eggs), and higher fertilization rate (85.82 ± 6.28%). Hatching rate and larval survival did not differ significantly among Control, G1, and G2 groups. G3 achieved only 3 successful spawning among 12 replicates, with the longest latency period of 44.17 ± 5.39 h. Embryonic development spanned approximately 46 h, and larvae reached 6.84 ± 0.22 mm by 7 days post-hatching, with yolk fully absorbed by 4-5 days post-hatching. Male C. andrao demonstrated exclusive paternal mouthbrooding, incubating fertilized eggs in the buccal cavity throughout the incubation period, with rhythmic buccal pumping observed at the time of larval emergence and continued parental care following larval release. This study offers a sustainable alternative to wild harvesting, supporting commercial production and conservation of this endemic ornamental snakehead fish.