CLOWNFISH AQUACULTURE: A WAY FORWARD TO PROMOTE LIVELIHOOD OF MANGROVE DWELLING COMMUNITIES AND MARINE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Marine ornamental fish trade on global perspective is mainly constituted by the members of the family, Pomacentridae. The technology on captive rearing of clownfishes is simple and less expensive as compared to other marine fishes. Hence, the long term sustainable trade of marine ornamentals could be achieved only through the development of captive propagation and scaling-up the production. This concept is well accepted as an eco-friendly method to increase the supply of marine ornamentals by producing quality juveniles of a wide variety and also year round, with a higher survival rate, thereby reducing the pressure on the wild populations.

In this context, a demonstration hatchery on marine ornamental fishes was established in the premises of the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre of Mangrove Foundation, Department of Forest, Government of Maharashtra Airoli, Thane. Sub-adults of ten clownfish species (Amphiprion sebae, A. frenatus, A. percula, A. ocellaris A. nigripes, A. clarkii, A. perideraion, A. akallopisos, A. ephippium and Premnas biaculeatus) and two sea anemones, (Stichodactyla haddoni and Heterctis magnifica) were procured from the traders of Gulf of Mannar, Andaman and Lakshadweep regions. These were shifted to the hatchery and after pair formation, they were removed along with the host anemone and introduced in to the spawning tank. Other pairs were also developed and around 50 pairs were obtained and maintained for broodstock development. During acclimatization, 25-30% of mortality was noticed which was stopped after standardizing the water quality.

Among the 10 species, seven pairs belonging to four species (Amphiprion sebae, A. clarkii, A. frenatus and A. ocellaris) started spawning and the larval rearing is in progress. Metamorphosed babies ie. one month reared ones will be supplied to the beneficiaries and they will rear them for another two months in their backyard / cluster mode rearing units, to be established in the coastal districts of Maharashtra. Marketing tie-up will be arranged to get attractive prices as hatchery bred fishes have high demand.

Establishment of rearing units, protocols for captive rearing and transportation, strategies for feeding and disease management and hands-on training to the beneficiaries have been planned and are in progress.