BROODSTOCK AGE IMPACT ON REPRODUCTIVE PROFILE AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMMON CARP Cyprinus carpio var. communis

Fish reproductive biology is very important and basic requirement to plan a better production, conservation and management strategies of fishery resources. According to FAO (2018), common carp is the third most widely cultivated and commercially important freshwater fish species in the world. Being a hardy species it also became an integrated part of Indian aquaculture. So the objective of this experimental study was to perceive the effect of age of broodstock on its biological characteristics and reproductive profile of different age groups (virgin and 1+ year) in captivity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. communis).

Results revealed that conditions of both groups were satisfactory in the environment based on condition factor (K>1). GSI and HSI had shown an inverse relationship as in males GSI (%) ranged between 6.96±1.09-7.20±1.17 while HSI (%) ranged from 0.49±0.41- 0.54±0.24 during spawning season similarly in females GSI (%) were 8.18±1.32 9.81±1.32 and HSI (%) ranged from 0.96±0.49 to    0.66±0.49. In case of males, only spermatocrit value showed a significant increase with age (p<0.05), as in 1+ year male spermatocrit (68.33±0.87%) was higher as compared to virgin males (60.50±0.90%). While, maternal age has shown a significant effect on fecundity as well as ova diameter (p<0.05) as given in table 1. Similarly, absolute fecundity of 1+ year was also higher than virgin females as depicted in table 1. While, relative fecundity was observed higher in virgin group females. Mean fertilization rate and hatching rate were found higher in 1+ year (74.33±1.15% and 62.66±2.52% respectively). Fertilization rate also exhibited a positive correlation (r=0.838) with ova diameter.    

It was also reported that hatching rate (%) for 1+ year progeny (62.66±2.52) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than virgin progeny (60.33±3.21). While, yolk sac absorption (hours) was time-taking in 1+year progeny (110.00±6.00) as compared to virgin group progeny (97.33±3.05). The investigation proved that the study of the effect of age on reproductive performance is support for high-quality fish production. In support of that present study showed that 1+ year group male-female cross have better gamete quality, survival rare and progeny performance in comparison to the virgin group of common carp.