Breeding and Seed Production of Chocolate Mahseer in Captivity

Chocolate mahseer, Neolissochilus hexagonolepis, is a popular sport fish for angling tourists and is regarded as a cultural emblem of economic, recreational, and environmental attitude in 11 Asian nations. The species has declined due to overfishing and various ecological changes and hence regarded as near threatened. The captive breeding program of this species is essential for its population restoration. The spawning in fish is physiologically controlled by environmental signals like temperature, water depth, photoperiod, and spawning substrate. Different species typically have distinct requirements for environmental conditions to synchronize their spawning activities, including activities like nest building and guarding. This chapter provides protocols for the intentional spawning and captive larval rearing of chocolate mahseer, along with a thorough account of its reproductive performance, embryonic development, and larval growth.