






























*corresponding author:
Email: annamercy2002@yahoo.co.in

T.V. Anna Mercy*1, Eapen Jacob2 & K. Raju Thomas3

1Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean studies, Panangad, Cochin, 682506;  
2Dept. Zoology, Govt. College, Kariyavattom, Trivandrum.;  
3Dept. Zoology, Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla, Kerala, 689103 

KEYWORDS: 

Captive breeding; 

D. fasciata;

Puntius fasciata;

Ornamental fish;

Western Ghats

ABSTRACT 
Ornamental fishes of the Western Ghats of India have great demand in the export market. 
At present these fishes are collected from the wild and exported. Hence many times, the 
demand could not be met due to short supply. The only remedial measure for a sustainable 
supply is to produce the fish in captive conditions. Unfortunately, the breeding technology 
for the ornamental fishes of the Western Ghats of India has not been attempted seriously 
till date. The present paper is almost a pioneering attempt to develop captive breeding 
technology for 12 prioritized species of the indigenous ornamental fishes of the Western 
Ghats of India. Dravidia fasciata is one of them. It is popularly known as Melon barb. It is 
a beautiful barb, growing to a maximum size of 80 mm. In the present paper the 
methodology of captive breeding of this fish is provided with the economics of its 
production. Melon barbs were collected from the wild and brought to the hatchery of 
College of Fisheries in oxygen filled plastic bags and gradually acclimatized to the captive 
conditions. Its size at first maturity, sexual dimorphism, and developmental biology were 
studied and described with photographs. The total length (TL) at first maturity for males 
was 50 mm (50-55 mm) and 40 mm for females (40-45 mm). A sexually mature male 
developed beautiful pinkish red tinge all over the body. The black bands over the body 
also became deeper in colour during this time. The intensity of the colour reached its 
maximum during the courtship activities. Male also possessed nuptial tubercles on the 
operculum which could be identified only by keen observation. But a sexually mature 
female did not develop any colour change by the onset of sexual maturity. The results of 
the study clearly demonstrated that D. fasciata could be successfully produced in captivity 
through scientific management of brooders, eggs, larvae and hatchlings. The successful 
development of captive breeding technology is likely to pave way towards 
commercialization of the technology thus leading to the sustainable export of the species.  

INTRODUCTION 

Kerala has rich sources of water bodies such as 
rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals and ponds. The 
rivers of Kerala possess rich diversity of 
ornamental fishes, with over 155 species of 

indigenous species (Mercy et al., 2007). Some 
of the potential ornamental fish of Kerala 
namely loachs, barbs, danios, catfishes, perches 
and cichlids are in great demand in export 
market. At present, these fishes are collected 
from the wild and exported. Even though Kerala 

Hawassa University
College of Natural & Computational Sciences

Year 2021

Volume xx No xx

1

East African Journal of Biophysical and Computational Sciences 

Journal homepage : https://journals.hu.edu.et/hu-journals/index.php/eajbcs 

Captive breeding, developmental biology and commercial production of 
Dravidia fasciata- An indigenous ornamental fish of the Western Ghats of 

India 

East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue.1, 1-13 

Research article

mailto:annamercy2002@yahoo.co.in


East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

is a goldmine of indigenous ornamental fishes, 
the quantity of export is minimal. There are 
several reasons for the low export of fishes. The 
most important reason is that the exporters are 
not able to supply as per the demand. The 
demand usually, is for equal sized fishes in large 
quantities which cannot be supplied from wild 
collection alone. This can be achieved only 
through hatchery production. Hence, breeding in 
captivity is one of the desirable qualities of any 
ornamental fish. Unfortunately, the breeding 
technology for the ornamental fishes of the 
Western Ghats of India has not been attempted 
seriously till date, except for the work done by 
Mercy (2004) in which captive breeding 
technology was developed for 12 prioritized 
species of fishes. D. fasciata is one of them. 

Dravidia fasciata is a beautiful indigenous 
ornamental fish found in the west flowing rivers 
of Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and up to 
Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu and also in 
the east flowing streams of River Cauvery basin 
in the foot of the Nallamala Hills (Jayaram, 
1991). It is popularly known as melon barb. It is 
a small barb that grows to a maximum size of 
8cm. It is omnivorous in diet and also is eaten 
by larger fish and crustaceans (Mercy et al., 
2001). Captive studies on the behavior of the 
fish under aquarium conditions have shown that 
it occupies the mid water column in the tank.  

Present paper describes the captive breeding 
technology of this beautiful ornamental fish. 
The development of captive breeding 
technology of this species clearly indicates that 
commercial production of D. fasciata is possible 
with this technology through scientific 
management of brooders, eggs, larvae and 
hatchlings. This success is likely to pave way 
towards commercial production of this species 

thus leading to its sustainable export. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Specimens of D. fasciata were collected from 
River Pampa using cast net and small hand nets 
during the months of August-September (2002-
05). They were brought to the hatchery of 
College of fisheries in oxygen filled plastic bags 
and gradually acclimatized to the captive 
conditions. Determination of size at first 
maturity and identification of male and female 
are two essential requirements for breeding a 
fish under captivity. 

Size at first maturity 

The length at which 50% of the fishes become 
mature is considered as the size at first maturity 
(Kagwade, 1975). Size at first maturity was 
computed with a total of 154 fishes of which 83 
were females (ranging from 25 mm to 60 mm 
total length (TL)) and 71 were males (ranging 
from 30 mm to 65 mm TL). The total length of 
all the fishes collected was grouped according to 
different length groups. The percentage 
occurrences of mature fishes (early ripening, 
late ripening, ripe and partially spent) for both 
females and males were calculated. By plotting 
the percentage occurrence of mature fish (males 
and females) against respective length classes 
(5mm), the length at which 50% of the fishes 
become mature was demarcated. 

Sexual Dimorphism 

Different macroscopic and visual features were 
used for determining the sex of the individual. 
These includes 1) Overall body coloration 
(sexual dichromatism); 2) Bulginess of the 
stomach and 3) Behaviour in captive conditions 

2



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

A total of 55 specimens were used for sex 
determination studies and they included fishes 
collected from their natural habitats and F1 and 
F2 generations of the hatchery reared fish. 
Different nuptial and breeding behavioral 
gestures like chasing; following, nubbing etc. 
also were used for distinguishing the sexes.  

Development of brood stock 

The brood stocks were raised on a mixed diet of 
artificial pelleted feed, live feeds like moina, 
mosquito larvae, blood worm and egg yolk. 
They were kept in glass tanks fitted with 
biological filter and in cement tanks devoid of 
biological filter. A daily water exchange at a 
rate of 1/3 was ensured in the cement tanks. 
They were continuously observed for their 
behavior in tanks. The maturity condition of the 
brooders was assessed based on the macroscopic 
characters such as body size, bulginess of belly 
and overall body colouration. Sometimes the 
behavioral patterns of the fishes were also 
considered.  As the specimens became sexually 
mature they were separated sex-wise and kept in 
separate tanks of the same dimensions 
mentioned above. 

Captive breeding 

Breeding was conducted in small cement 
cisterns or round cement tanks as shown in the 
photographs (Plate ). A breeding tank was set up 
providing the same water quality available in 
the natural habitat of the fish. The tank was 
cleaned properly and filled with water of desired 
quality up to three fourth of the tank. A 
separating net with small mesh mounted on a 
ring was kept 30cm above from bottom of the 
tank so that the eggs laid are fallen through the 
net to bottom of the tank This prevented the 

parents from devouring it. A pair of well-
conditioned, fully mature melon barb (1:1 male: 
female) was introduced to the prepared breeding 
tank on an evening and were observed for their 
breeding. Next day morning eggs could be seen 
under the net trap in the tank. A total of 10 pair 
was used in each trial. The latency period was 
observed as the time duration between their 
introduction of conditioned pairs into the 
experimental tank and the start of spawning. 
Soon after the completion of laying eggs the 
fishes were removed from the breeding tank and 
the eggs were counted to find out the fecundity. 
The counting was conducted using the random 
sampling method. 

Developmental biology 

The fertilized eggs were collected soon after it 
was spawned. From each pair 5 to 10 eggs were 
collected and placed them in 2 liter capacity 
container. Developing eggs were observed with 
a trinocular microscope (Labomed) and 
photographs were taken with SLR camera 
(Nikon 90 X). The early developments up to 
hatching of the eggs were done in one hour 
interval.  After hatching the developmental 
stages were photographed every 2 hours up to 
24 hours and thereafter at every 24 hours up to 
the juvenile stage. All the measurements were 
taken under average room temperature of 26 
to28 °C. The eggs were placed in cavity slides, 
immersed in water for observations and cavity 
blocks were used to observe larvae after 
hatching. The sampled eggs and larvae were 
fixed in 4% formalin for further observations. 

In the present study, the developmental stages 
were divided into embryonic development, 
larval development and post larval development. 
The embryonic development started inside the 

3



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

chorion and completed at hatching. The larval 
stage started from hatching and ended by the 
appearance of fin rays in all fins. After that, the 
larva was transformed into post larvae. The 
development of 25 individual embryos was 
documented right from fertilization. The water 
quality parameters were monitored weekly and 
daily exchange of 25% of water was done.  

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Size at first maturity 

The total length (TL) at first maturity was 
determined by analyzing the data relevant to all 
mature fishes (stage III and above examined). 
While the first mature male fishes appeared in 
45-50 mm (TL) group (16.66 %), the first 
mature females appeared only in the group of 
30-35 mm (16.66 %). All male fishes were 
matured on reaching a total length of 55 mm 
and all female fishes on reaching a length of 50 
mm total length. The size at first maturity for 
males was 50 mm TL (50-55 mm) and for 
female it was 40 mm TL (40-45 mm) (Figure 1). 

  
Figure 1. Size or total length of Dravidia fasciata at first maturity  

 

The smallest mature male is within 40-45 mm 
length group. If the length at which 50% of the 
fishes are mature can be considered as the 
minimum length at first maturity (Kagwade, 
1975), the specimens below 40 mm TL for 
males and 30 mm TL for females were not 
mature. The present study showed that the 
smallest mature male is bigger than that of the 
mature female in D. fasciata. Mercy et al. 
(2005) reported the size at first maturity of 
Puntius melanostigma as 50 mm for males and 
55 mm for females. In the case of the African 
minnow, Enteromius paludinosus, sexual 
maturity was reached within a year at 50.0 mm 
TL (Cambray and Burton, 1985). In the case of 

European minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus the short 
lived populations of river Frome in England 
contained two spawning age groups and the 
largest fish caught was only 78.0 mm long.  The 
size at first maturity ranged from 50-55 mm as 
two year olds (Mills, 1987). Six Barbus species 
studied in Sri Lanka had maximum total length 
of between 42.0 and 101.0 mm and a short life 
span (De Silva et al.,1985). In the freshwaters of 
South Africa out of the 52 Barbus species 
studied 43 attained maximum fork lengths of 
less than 150.0 mm (Cambray and Burton, 
1985). The information on initial sexual 
maturity gives the ornamental fish producers the 
idea on the age at which the fish become mature 

4



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

so that they could provide appropriate 
environment for the fish to spawn and obtain the 
maximum number of fry. 

Sexual dimorphism 

The male and female Dravidia fasciata showed 
clear differences in body coloration which could 
be termed as sexual dichromatism. The colour 
differences become prominent at the onset of 
sexual maturity. All the immature fish appeared 
in a dull grayish silvery colour. A sexually 
mature male developed beautiful pinkish red 
tinge all over the body (Figure 2). The black 
bands over the body also became deeper in 
colour during this time. The intensity of the 
colour reached its maximum during the 
courtship activities. But a sexually mature 

female did not develop any colour change by the 
onset of sexual maturity. It remained in the 
same colour pattern as that of a juvenile. Male 
also possessed nuptial tubercles on the 
operculum which could be identified only by 
keen observation. These types of nuptial 
tubercles are distinguishable in other cyprinids 
like gold fish, Carassius auratus and Indian 
major carps which have tubercles on pectoral fin 
rays also.  

Another distinguishing character was the 
bulginess of stomach. A sexually mature female 
Dravidia fasciata exhibited a more swollen and 
deeper stomach than that of the males. The 
reproductive behavioural patterns exhibited 
during the onset of maturity were also used to 
distinguish sexes.  

 
Dravidia fasciata male Dravidia fasciata female 

 
 

Figure 2. Sexual dichromatism of Dravidia fasciata  

In cyprinids, sexual dimorphism in 
morphological characteristics other than 
colouration or presence of nuptial tubercles is 
uncommon (Scott and Crossman, 1973). Sexual 
dimorphism is a widespread phenomenon in 
fishes and may occur for a variety of reasons 
including,  mate selection, male to male 
competition for mates, differences in sexual 
roles, predator avoidance, territoriality and 

ecological processes (Hubbs et al., 1974; 
Fernandes, 1998). Sexual dimorphism in body 
size, coloration, fin length, nuptial tubercles, 
and intromittent organs has been observed in 
many fish families (Scott and Crossman, 1973). 
Sex identification has practical applications in 
captive propagation processes. 

Males and females usually differ not only in 

5



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

reproductive organs, but also in external 
structures that are not directly related to 
reproduction. Information about sexual 
dimorphism is required for understanding the 
ecology, behavior and life history of a species. 
In addition, knowledge of sexual dimorphism 
and its appearance during ontogeny is 
indispensable when making morphological 
comparisons between populations. Although 
sexual differences in a variety of external 
structures have been noted in many species, 
studies on the sexual difference in fresh water 
fishes of India are less. A comprehensive study 
was done by Inasu (2008) in which sexual 
dimorphism of 26 species of Indian fishes was 
compiled. Mercy (2004) and Mercy et al. (2001, 
2002, 2007, 2013) have described the sexual 
dimorphism of Danio malabaricus, Pristolepis 
marginata, Puntius melanostigma, Garra 
mullya, Puntius pookodensis, Nemacheilus 
triangularis and Puntius denisonii, which are 
important freshwater ornamental fishes of the 
Western Ghats of India. 

Dravidia fasciata exhibited sexual 
dichromatism rather than sexual dimorphism. 
Breeding adults of male D. fasciata had marked 
sexual dichromatism. Males became pinkish 
when they became sexually mature. 
Reproductive females did not have pink colour. 
The colour became intense after the fish started 
breeding. It gradually faded after the courtship.  
This suggests that sexual dichromatism in the 
body is a secondary sexual character that  may 
be regulated by reproductive hormones. 
Although sex in D. fasciata is genetically 
determined, it is currently unknown what genes 
or hormones might regulate secondary sexual 
dichromatism of body in this fish. Further 
analysis of the genetic and developmental 
mechanisms that underlie sexual dimorphism in 

D. fasciata will be possible by using the 
genomic tools established by Peichel et al. 
(2001) and Peichel (2005) and will provide a 
complement to ecological studies to discern the 
functional significance of sexual dichromtism in 
D. fasciata.  Similar type of secondary sexual 
characters were also observedin P. 
melanostigma (Mercy et al., 2004) and P. 
pookodensis (Eapen, 2013). 

Captive Breeding 

The fully mature and well-conditioned male and 
female fishes were introduced in the prepared 
experimental tank (Plate) at a sex ratio of 1:1 
(Female: Male). Soon after introduction, the 
fishes did not show any indication of breeding 
behavior. After half an hour, the fishes started 
its breeding behavioral signs like chasing, 
nubbing, following etc. 

Breeding Behaviour 

Parental care of the eggs and hatchlings either 
by male or by female parent was not observed in 
D. fasciata. It agrees with general behaviour of 
the cyprinid fishes. In the case of D. fasciata, it 
not only showed any signs of parental care but it 
also showed the tendency to deavour the eggs 
and hatchlings. So an appropriate breeding trap 
was needed in the captive breeding set up to 
protect them from the hungry parents. All 
cyprinids spawn using egg scattering methods 
and do not usually exercise parental care. But an 
exception is reported in fathead minnow 
Pimephales promelas (Sargent, 1989).  The 
number of eggs spawned was at a range of 180 
to 415 with a mean 264±86.6.  The survival rate 
was at the range of 49 to 68%, with a mean 
55.16±2.7. 

6



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

 

 

 

Developmental biology 

Embryonic development 

Immediately after fertilization the eggs were 
swollen up considerably by absorbing water and 
within five minutes they attained a spherical, 
transparent and slightly adhesive structure. A 
streaming movement of the egg protoplasm took 
place, which resulted in the formation of 
blastodisc.  The fertilized eggs of D. fasciata 
were amber coloured en mass, yolked, glossy, 
translucent and spherical with an average 
diameter of 0.85 mm (0.85 ± 0.02 mm). Like 
most other cyprinids the eggs of D. fasciata 
were free and demersal but not adhesive.  The 
location of the micropylar region was distinct as 
a small depression in the animal pole, while it 
was absent in unfertilized eggs. The yolk which 
often had a yellowish tinge was coarsely 
granulated. The eggs were easily collected and 
transferred for incubation in hatching tanks with 
continuous oxygenation. The observations 
revealed that the hatching of eggs was 
accomplished 23 to 27 hrs in the ambient 
temperature of 26 °C (26 ± 2°C). Neutral pH was 
maintained for the medium throughout the 
studies. After observations, some of the eggs 
were preserved in 5 % formalin for future 
studies. All measurements were made on fresh 
specimens using a calibrated ocular micrometer. 
Photographs of the developmental stages are 
provided in Plate (Annex). 

The fertilized egg was telolecithal and cleavage 
was meroblastic. The blastoderm formed was 

restricted to animal pole at the point of entrance 
of sperm at the level of the micropyle, leaving 
large yolk mass at the vegetal pole. The first 
cleavage was meridional and incomplete.  The 
second division was at perpendicular to the first 
and the third division resulted in the formation 
of 8 cells. The 4th cleavage resulted in the 
formation of sixteen celled stage at 1.3 hrs and 
formation 32 celled stage occurred at about 1.45 
hrs. A clear blastocoel began to appear at about 
3.3 hrs and the blastula at this stage appeared as 
a cap of cells over the yolk. By 5 hrs it started to 
roll over the cytoplasm. After 5.5 hr, the 
blastoderm covered more than half of the yolk 
surface. At about 6.5 hours the early gastrula 
stage was reached and an embryonic shield was 
appeared. Gradually, epibolic germ layers were 
spread to the equator of the spherical yolk 
surface and at 6 hrs, the germ ring invaded 3/4th 
of the yolk surface.  At 7.5 hrs, the neural plate 
was formed and gradually almost 5/6th of the 
yolk surfaces become invaded. As the 
blastopore got closed, yolk plug was projected 
and the head rudiment was seen lifted up. By 10 
hrs, the optic rudiment appeared and gradually 
by 10.5hrs it became differentiated into a 
vesicle. At this stage, the head and tail got 
differentiated and the myotomes also became 
clearly visible. At 12 hrs the tail bud was 
formed and the embryo appeared very much 
elongated and was seen encircling over the yolk, 
reaching nearly 3/4th of its circumference. At 15 
hrs, caudal fin fold rudiment was drawn out 
from the yolk and the head region became more 
and more differentiated. Yolk sac got stretched 
and assumed a characteristic beaked appearance.  
Tail bud was projected out from the beak like 
yolk mass distally at around 16 hrs. Paired 
somites also became distinct at this point of 
time. At 18 hrs, optic vesicle became 

7



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

conspicuous and the head region got separated; 
the caudal fin fold became very much elongated 
and the embryo appeared ‘C’ shaped encircling 
the yolk.  At this period, the muscular somites 
were seen twitching at intervals. At 21 hrs the 
heart and optic capsule became conspicuous and 
embryonic movement became rapid. The heart 
began to pulsate at 21.5 h. At 22 hrs, tail got 
free and encircled almost 90 percent of the yolk 
mass. Gradually the heart pulsation became 
more rhythmic. The embryo began to roll within 
the egg case. As the development advanced, the 
embryo appeared more and more elongated and 
the tail overlapped the head. The myotomes and 
auditory vesicle became more prominent and the 
twitching of embryo started within the 
cytoplasm.  As time passed the twitching 
movement of the embryo became faster. 

Close to hatching, twitching and lashing of 
embryo inside the egg capsule became rapid. 
The egg shell was broken up and the tail 
emerged out first, followed by the head region. 
Hatching occurred at around 23.5 hrs. Egg 
hatching was protracted and the incubation 
period fluctuated between 23and 27 hrs post 
fertilization at the ambient temperature. 

Newly hatched larva 

The newly hatched larva appeared to be 
sluggish and remained at the bottom. It was 
transparent without any pigmentation. A 
continuous fin fold was present starting from the 

start of the dorsal fin, surrounding the tail and 
ended in the insertion of the ventral fin. Oral 
and anal orifices were completely absent. The 
length of the hatchling at this stage was 2.3 mm. 
In 24 hours it attained a mean length of 16 mm. 
Melanophores started to appear on the opticrim 
and myotomes. 

At 48 hours, the larva appeared slender and 
elongated. The yolk was very much reduced, 
though not completely exhausted.  The 
hatchlings gradually began to swim up towards 
the water surface and sometimes found hung up 
from the water surface. Melanophores became 
conspicuous on the body surface.  Fin rays were 
started to appear in the pelvic fin and stomach 
was visible through the transparent body. Above 
the stomach the gas bladder appeared as a 
glittering droplet. A small depression was 
started to appear on the fin fold at the portion of 
anus. 

Juvenile Phase: One month old juvenile 
(average 25.80 ±1.39 mm TL) of D. fasciata 
(Originally Puntius) showed vertical body 
banding pattern.  Many species of Puntius 
possessed black body markings at their juvenile 
phase which were quite different in size and 
shape. The juveniles of D. fasciata possessed 
three vertical black cross bands at nuchal, pre 
dorsal and caudal positions. Details of 
embryonic developmental stages are given in 
Table  1  

  

8



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

Table 1- The embryonic developmental stages of Dravidia fasciata 

Time after fertilization (Hours) Developmental event 

01.30 16 celled stage 
01.45 32 celled stage 
02.00 Early morula 
03.30 Blastulation; Blastodisc formation 
06.50 Gastrulation; early gastrula 
07.00 Late gastrula 
07.50 Neurula stage 
08.00 Closure of blastopore/ Yolk plug 
10.00 Optic rudiment appears 
12.00 Formation of head and tail, Appearance of myotomes 
16.00 Tail region detaches from the yolk 
21.00 Twitching 
22.30 Heart beat and blood flow starts 
23.00 – 24.00 Hatching 

The knowledge on different embryonic stages 
and its timings of developmental events has 
importance in developing hatchery techniques 
of a species.  As far as D. fasciata is concerned, 
because of its importance in the ornamental fish 
trade, defining an effective hatchery technique 
is tremendously valued. In general, 
developmental biology of a species consisted of 
embryonic, larval and juvenile stages. The 
morphology of larval and juvenile D. fasciata 
viz., overall appearance, fin ray formation, and 
pigmentation patterns were similar to that of 
many other cyprinids such as Puntius 
pookodensis (Jacob, 2013) and also as reported 
by Jones (1938); Balinisky (1948) and McClure 
(1999). 

It is also to be noted that D. fasciata, Puntius 
filamentosus and Puntius denisonii co-exist and 
breed in the same habitat at the same season and 
the larvae of all the three species look alike with 
dark bands across the body. It is quite difficult 

to distinguish between the larvae unless 
experienced. In the case of P. filamentosus and 
P. denisonii the cross-bands are retained for 
about one month. They gradually fade to a 
single spot at the caudal peduncle in the case of 
P. filamentosus whereas they are completely 
vanished in P.denisonii  (Mercy et al., 2013). 
Dry-season spawning of  D. fasciata has already 
been observed and published by Harikumar et 
al. (1994). In the present study it has been 
observed that the peak period of breeding of D. 
fasciata is during the months from November to 
March/April. De Silva et al. (1985) have 
reported that among Puntius species in SriLanka 
seasonal and perennial breeders share the same 
macrohabitat. 

Survival rate 

Number of eggs produced at a time ranged from 
30-40 eggs per gram bodyweight. Average 
weight of the female fish was 10-12gms. About 

9



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

90 % of the eggs were fertilized and at the end 
of one month survival rate was 60-65%.  On an 
average from a pair of brood 180-200 young 

ones can be obtained if properly maintained.  

  

The economics of production: the cost of production is summarized in the following table.   

Fixed cost In US$ 

Cement Tanks: 12 x $ 30 $ 360 

Net + Accessories $  15 

Operational  cost  

Brood fish, 20 pair :20x$ 2    $  40 

Feed+ accessories $ 50 

Packing and sale $ 15 

Total expenditure $ 480 

Income : From a single brood minimum number of 150 fishes can be obtained after three 
months. So from 20 pairs 3000 melon barbs can be obtained on an average 

Sale of fish 3000x$0.5/  $1500 
 

Reproductive strategy 

Studies on different aspects of captive breeding 
revealed that D. fasciata is an asynchronous 
spawner i.e., continuous development and 
release of gametes in the gonads are evident. 
The fish did not show any affinity towards 
aquatic plants or the presence of plants did not 
have any stimulating effect to start the spawning 
activities. In general, the reproductive strategies 
of D. fasciata showed that it is an iteroparous 
species, i.e., they  spawn more than once during 
their lives and gonochoristic, i.e., their sexes 
were separate and exhibited external 
fertilization without parental care. The fish 

possessed an asynchronous type ovary i.e., 
oocytes of all stages of development are present 
without dominant populations. But the peak 
breeding time of the fish is during the period 
from November to March. D. fasciata can be 
bred continuously if proper conditions are 
provided, but the peak season is during the 
months of November–March/April.  The species 
could be categorized as a batch spawner i.e., 
eggs are recruited and ovulated from the 
population of yolked oocytes in several batches 
over a protracted period during spawning 
season.  A summary of reproductive strategies 
shown by D. fasciata is shown in table 2. 

  

10



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

Table- 2: Summary of Reproductive strategies based on different components of breeding systems in 
Dravidia fasciata 

Sl. 
No. 

Component of breeding system Reproductive strategy 

1 Number of breeding opportunities Iteroparous (Multiple breeding) 

2 Type of spawning Batch spawner 

3 Mating system Promiscuous (both sexes with multiple partners during 

breeding season) 

4 Gender system Gonochoristic 

5 Secondary sexual characteristics Sexually dichromatic 

6 Spawning site preparation No preparation 

7 Place of fertilization External 

8 Embryonic development Oviparity 

9 Parental care No parental care 

10 Ecological group Pelagophils 

11 Reproductive guild (Balon1975) Ecological classification: Non-Guarders Ethological 

classification: Open substratum spawners  

Morphotype :Pelagophils 

CONCLUSION 

The results of the study clearly demonstrated 
that D. fasciata could be successfully produced 
in captivity through scientific management of 
brooders, eggs, larvae and hatchlings. The 
successful development of captive breeding 
technology is likely to pave way towards 
commercialization of the technology thus 
leading to the sustainable export of the species 
as well as its conservation. 

Acknowledgements 

The authors are thankful to National 
Agricultural Technology Programme and Indian 
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR-

NATP) and National Bureau of fish Genetic 
Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow  for the funding 
and Dean, College of Fisheries, Kerala 
Agricultural University for providing facilities. 

References 
Balinisky I. 1948. On the development of specific 

characters in cyprinid fishes. Proceedings of the 
Zoological Society, London 118: 335-344. 

Balon E.K. 1975. Reproductive guilds in fishes: a 
proposal and definition. Journal of Fisheries 
Research Board  Canada 32: 821-864 

Cambray J.A. and Burton M.N. 1985. Age and growth of 
a colonizing minnow, Barbus anoplus,  in a man-
made lake in  South Africa. Environ. Biol. Fishes 
22: 15-27. 

De Silva S.S., Schut  J. and Kortmluder K. 1985. 
Reproductive biology of six Barbus Species  
indigenous to Sri Lanka. Environ. Biol. Fishes 
12:201-218. 

11



East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

Fernandes C.C. 1998. Sex related morphological variation 
in two species of (Gymnotiformes) from the 
Amazone river basin. Copeia 730-735. 

Harikumar S., Padmanabhan K.G., John P.A. and 
Kortmulder K. 1994. Dry season spawning in a 
cyprinid fish of southern India. Environ. Biol. Fishes 
39:129-136. 

Hubbs C.L., Miller R.R. and Hubbs C. 1974. 
Hydrographic history and relict fishes of the North 
Central Great basin.  California Academy of 
Sciences of San Francisco. 

Inasu N.D. 2008. A check list of male female differences 
of some indigenous ornamental fishes. Cochin 
University of Science and Technology, Kochi. 65pp. 

Jacob E. 2013. Studies on the captive breeding and 
reproductive biology of two indigenous ornamental 
fishes of the Western Ghats. Ph. D Thesis. Mahatma 
Gandhi University, Kottayam, India. 

Jayaram K.C. 1991. Revision of the genus Puntius 
(Hamilton) from the Indian region (Pisces: 
Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Records of the 
Zoological Survey of India 135: 1-178. 

Jones, S. 1938. On the breeding habits and development 
of a cyprinid, Danio malabaricus (Jordan) in  
Ceylon. Ceylon J. Sci. (C) 4: 79-89. 

Kagwade V.N. 1968. Maturation and spawning in the 
horse mackerel, Caranx kalla (Cuv. and Val.). 
Indian J.Fish. 15: 207-220. 

McClure M. 1999. Development and evolution of 
melanophore patterns in fishes of the genus Danio 
Teleostei: Cyprinidae). J. Morphol. 241: 83-105 

Mercy T.V.A., Raju Thomas K. and Eapen J. 2001. Food 
and feeding habits of Puntius melananmpyx (Day)-
An endemic ornamental fish of Western Ghats. In: 
Proceedings of National Seminar on ‘Riverine 
Reservoir Fisheries of India- Challenges and 
strategies.’23-24 May 2001 Ed. By Society of 
Fishery Technologists, CIFT, Cochin. 

Mercy T.V.A., Eapen J. and Raju Thomas K. 2001. 
Breeding of Danio malabaricus- a potential 
indigenous ornamental fish of the Western Ghats in 
captive conditions .In: Proceedings of National 
Seminar on ‘Riverine and Reservoir Fisheries of 
India-Challenges and strategies’.23-24 May 2001. 
Society of Fishery Technologists, CIFT, Cochin. 

Mercy T.V.A., Jacob J. and Raju Thomas K. 2002. 
Studies on the reproductive behaviour of the 

common catopra, Pristolepis marginata Jerdon 
(Nandidae-Perciformes) under captive conditions. 
Curr. Sci. 84 (11): 1468-1473. 

Mercy T. V.A. 2004. Status of standardized breeding and 
propagation technology of indigenous ornamental 
fishes of the Western Ghats of India. J. World 
Aquacult. 35 (4):40-42. 

Mercy T.V.A., Eapen J. and Raju Thomas K. 2005. 
Certain aspects of reproduction of Puntius 
melanostigma, an endemic and endangered 
ornamental fish of the Western Ghats of India., 
p.644-648.“Sustain Fish”- Proceedings of the  
International Symposium on improved sustainability 
of fish production systems and appropriate 
technologies for utilization, 16-18 March 2005. 
School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of 
Science and Technology, Cochin, India. 

Mercy T.V.A., Gopalakrishnan A., Kapoor D. and Lakra 
W.S. 2007. Ornamental fishes of the Western Ghats 
of India: National Bureau Fish Genetic Resources, 
Lucknow.235 pp. 

Mercy T.V.A., Malika V. and Sajan S. 2013. 
Reproductive biology of Puntius denisonii (Day 
1865) -an endemic ornamental cyprinid of the 
Western Ghats of India. Indian J. Fish. 60(2): 73-78 

Mills C.A. 1987. The life history of the minnow Phoxinus 
phoxinus in a productive stream. Freshw. Biol. 17: 
53-67. 

Munshi D.T.S. and Hughes G. M. 1992. Air breathing 
fishes of India. Oxfordand IBH Pub. Co. Pvt  Ltd. 
NewDelhi.181-208pp. 

Scott W.B. and Crossman E.J. 1973. Fresh water fishes of 
Canada. Bull. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 
Ottawa, ON, Canada. 

Peichel C.L. 2005. Fishing for the secrets of vertebrate 
evolution in three spine sticklebacks. Dev. Dyn. 
234:739-752. 

Peichel C.L., Ross J.A., Matson C.K., Dickson M., 
Grimwood J., Schmutzz J., Myers R.M., Mori S., 
Schluter D. and Kingsley D.M. 2004. The master 
sex-determination locus in three spine stickle backs 
is on a nascent Y chromosome. Curr. Biol. 14: 1416-
1424. 

Sargent R.C. 1989. Allopaternal care in the fathead 
minnow, Pimephales promelas: stepfathers 
discriminate against their adopted eggs. Behav. Ecol. 
Sociobiol. 25 (6): 379-385. 

  

12

http://link.springer.com/journal/265
http://link.springer.com/journal/265
http://link.springer.com/journal/265/25/6/page/1


East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci., Vol. 2, Issue 1 
 

Plate: Developmental stages of Dravidia fasciata 

   
Single celled stage Two celled stage Four celled stage 

   
Blastula stage After four hours After 10 hours 

 

  

 

 

After 12 hours   

   
Juveniles Breeding tank Breeding tank 
 
 

Just hatched larva 

24 hours after hatching 

48 hours after hatching 

13


	all articles vol 2.pdf (p.6-81)
	Volume 2 Issue 1_ 6 articles_4_3.pdf (p.6-91)
	4_Captive fish_Anna
	RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
	References



	INTRODUCTION
	EXTENSION OF THE MODIFIED MODEL INTO AN OPTIMAL CONTROL
	Optimal protection and hospitalization using modified model
	Existence of an optimal control
	The Hamiltonian and optimality system

	Numerical simulations of optimal control problem
	Optimal control comparisons and strategies

	CONCLUSION
	INTRODUCTION
	INTRODUCTION

