Artificial reproduction of royal carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish an experimental protocol for the artificial reproduction of royal carp ‘Cyprinus carpio’ with the hormonal induction of spawning. For this purpose, we conducted this study at an aquaculture farm in Khemis Meliana (Ain Defla, Algeria). The study included six royal carp broodstock, 4 females and 2 males. Hormone injection was performed in the dorsal muscle under the fin. The induction of carp was done successively in females by GnRH at a dose of 3 mg/kg and in males by hCG at a dose of 500 IU per kg weight. Fertilisation was done artificially by the dry method. After incubation of eggs, a binocular magnifying glass was used to check the condition of eggs and the development of the embryos over time. The results obtained show that the artificial reproduction of this species was possible, with success of ovulation and fertilisation, and hatching and growth of the larvae. Stripping was done after 24 h of hormonal stimulation at a temperature of 21°C. Disaggregation of eggs was performed efficiently with whole milk. The total number of eggs was 552,000 eggs with a weight of 1104 g. The average latency time was 22 hours. The hatching rate after 3 days of incubation on artificial spawning grounds at 21±1°C was 441,600 larvae (80%). Larvae food follow-up started from the 3rd day post-hatching with a combination natural food (rotifers) and artificial food. At the end of this experiment, we can conclude that it is possible to improve reproduction through the proper use of hormonal stimulation techniques and by improving feeding and abiotic factors that are dominant in fish farming.